Cayman nurses host annual conference

(CNS): The Cayman Islands Nursing Association (CINA) will be hosting its 8th Annual Nursing Conference from 7 to 10 May at the Marriott Beach Resort, as part of the activities surrounding Nurses Week 2013. The 2013 conference theme is “Embracing Diversity in Nursing Care: Achieving Successful Patient Outcomes”.  Nurses, doctors and other healthcare practitioners will be educated on a number of topics such as The Gift of Diversity, Developing Cultural Competency, Sexuality and Gender Well-being, Dengue Fever and Teenage Suicide. The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Audrey Gittens-Gilkes from St. Vincent and The Grenadines who will adhere closely to the theme by speaking on the topic of “Cultural Diversity in Nursing and Healthcare”.

Dr. Gittens-Gilkes is ChiefNursing Officer and a 25 year veteran in nursing who graduated from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines School of Nursing.

Dr. Gittens-Gilkes says, “The Cayman Islands healthcare system has provided fertile ground for cultural diversity and self-exploration.  The quality of care delivered as well as the mental and social wellbeing of the care-givers, are dependent on the extent to which all the cultural dimensions are managed, and this will be my key message to conference attendees.”

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Dr. Gittens-Gilkes’ calibre and experience speak to our conference attendees,” said Sharon Buckley, President of the Cayman Islands Nurses Association.  “Her professional background and expertise in nursing ensures that our nurses will come away not only educated and enlightened but also motivated to continue delivering the highest standard of nursing care to our patients in this community.”

Other events surrounding the three-day conference include an opening cocktail reception on Tuesday, 7 May where the Eloise Reid Excellence in Nursing Award will be presented to a nurse who was nominated for an outstanding performance and service; a 5K fun run/walk that starts at 6.30am at Camana Bay on Saturday, 11 May and is open to the public; and a church service dedicated to the nursing profession at the Agape Family Worship Centre on Sunday, 12 May.

The Cayman Islands National Nursing Conference is sponsored by Baptist Health International, Cayman Airways, Nueterra Global Alliance, Cayman National Bank, Cerner, Broward Health International, Dart and Generali Worldwide.

International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on 12 May each year.  This year, Cayman’snurses will hold their Nurses Week from Monday, 6 May to Sunday, 12 May.