Jamaica Nurses Association of Florida — Together We Achieve

“To be a good nurse you must have the passion to serve, be willing to put in the work, for it is a life long learning profession,” declared Joan Howard, President of the Jamaica Nurses Association of Florida (JNAF).

Joan Howard, President of the Jamaica Nurses Association of Florida (JNAF)It is this passion that inspired founding members led by Joyce Harris-Wright to establish the Jamaica Nurses Association of Florida in 1983. Their main purpose — welcoming new nurses from Jamaica and helping to ease their transition into their new home and work environment in the United States. Now celebrating 40 years of volunteerism, support, and dedicated healthcare, the organization has expanded its mission to embrace local and international communities.

Registered as a 501(c)3 no-profit organisation in 2004, the Association diversified its membership base to include any professional who embraces its mission and vision. With ideals guided by an altruistic spirit of giving back to the community and living up to its motto ‘Together We Achieve’, JNAF welcomes a growing number of professions from all disciplines committed to helping in both its local and international initiatives. In fact, JNAF’s major undertaking is its medical mission to Jamaica, which takes place August 13-20, 2023 this year.

“With approval from the Ministry of Health, we are going to conduct community health clinics in Kingston and other areas across the island. We will conduct health checks at Dinthill Technical High school and three other schools across the island. We have a delegation of about 50 healthcare professionals including nurses, doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists, and so on. We have procured medications that are needed for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes. In addition, we will do diagnostic assessments such as EKG (electrocardiogram),” explained Howard, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with more than 30 years in the profession.

In fact, for of its continued work in Jamaica over the years, JNAF was honoured with the Prime Minister's Medal of Appreciation in 2018, an award presented to those recognised for their services to the country.

SUCCESSION

JNAF's core mission has always been to encourage deserving young minds into nursing and other allied health services, and to maintain the strength of the organization through succession planning. To that end, they have established several annual scholarships, awarding more than $60,000 to students in the United States and Jamaica since the start of programme.

Two deserving students in the US will receive $1000 each toward their nursing or healthcare-focused education. The Hyacinth Scarlett Foundation Scholarship was established in honor of the late Hyacinth Scarlett who was a JNAF member and a lover of the arts and music. This award is given to a student majoring in nursing, music, or a related field. A $500 award is also given to a nursing student through the Ralph Farquharson Award, named after one of JNAF’s first male nurse member. The Joyce Harris-Wright Scholarship, named for the Founder, is given to a nursing student in Jamaica in the amount of US$1000. The organization has also awarded non-healthcare students who meet certain academic criteria. These scholarships are testament to the Jamaica Nurses Association of Florida’s commitment to advocacy, commitment to education, and growing the nursing profession.

“We are committed to the professional development of our members, so we give educational workshops and seminars, which can help to enhance their skills and knowledge in nursing. Our nurses have access to continuing education, which gives you CEUs (Continuing Education Unit), necessary toward the renewal of your professional licence,” Howard explained.

That training, she added, is also a strategy to help address the current nursing shortage in the United States, as knowledge in patient care, cultural competence, the latest technology can fully engage and inspire the professional to stay in the field.

Although there are various factors affecting the shortage, aging is also a contributing factor. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing website states that a significant segment of the nursing workforce is nearing retirement age. This is substantiated by a 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing reporting that “the average age for an RN is 52 years old, which may signal a large wave over the next 15 years.”

The pandemic has also exacerbated the situation as 29 percent of nurses across all license types were considering leaving in 2021, compared to 11 percent in 2020, according to a 2022 Nurse Salary Research Report. Lower than expected nursing school enrolment as well as the need for nursing school faculty is also an issue.

But, in spite of these concerns, Howard still sees a bright future for the nursing profession and is committed to helping boost numbers through the Jamaica Nurses Association of Florida.

“My appeal is that we all reignite the fervour within us that started this organization 40 years ago, so as to attract and increase membership, that we can coach and mentor as succession leaders to continue steering this dynamic organization forward under our motto Together We Achieve.”