With their motto, “Collectively We Aspire; Collectively We Obtain,” Registered Nurse Thecla Williams, president of the Brooklyn-based Trinidad and Tobago Nurses Affiliation of America, Inc. (TTNAA), says that nursing is “not merely a career; it’s a calling.”
“Nursing is such a rewarding profession – a really noble vocation that calls for compassion, talent, and dedication to the well-being of our sufferers,” Williams instructed Caribbean Life. “It gave me nice pleasure to be a nurse.
“Nurses all around the world are celebrated throughout Nurses’ Week however ought to be acknowledged every day,” she added. “Nurses are emphatic, devoted, devoted, decided and selfless. We advocate for our sufferers; we convey a lot pleasure into our sufferers’ lives. We go above and past to make a distinction.
“As per Maya Angelou, ‘As a nurse, we have now the chance to heal the thoughts, soul, coronary heart, and physique of our sufferers. They might neglect your identify, however they may always remember the way you made them really feel,’” Williams continued.
She stated TTNAA was fashioned in August 1968 by a small group of nursing visionaries.
“These nurses had been satisfied that there was a compelling have to re-establish, in addition to preserve, linkage with their colleagues again dwelling,” Williams stated. “Their foresight and unselfishness afforded the affiliation the chance to have fun 55 years of existence.”
The primary election of officers came about in January 1969. TTNAA grew to become included in 1977 and, years later, acquired its 501c (3) non-profit certificates.
The primary president was Phyllis Clarke-Mills, on whom the standing of Life Membership was conferred due to her excellent contributions to the affiliation.
Williams is now the 15th president. The remainder of the present govt members are: Cynthia Sterling-Fox (president -elect), Maudlyn George (assistant secretary), Jocelyn Alleyne (treasurer), Pamela Charles (enterprise supervisor), Naomi Henry (Trustee I), Carol Thomas (Trustee II ), Barbara Guevarra-Francis (chaplin) and Joan Mayers (public relations officer).
“The aim was, and nonetheless is, to stimulate the skilled, social, and developmental pursuits of our colleagues within the Metropolis of New York, its environs and the homeland,” Williams stated.
TTNAA is a constitution member of the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance (North America) Inc., which was established in 1971.
It is usually a member of the Caribbean American Nurses Affiliation (CANA).
As an affiliate of CANA, Williams stated TTNAA participates within the Caribbean Nurses Group’s (CNO), biennial conferences held in numerous Caribbean places.
TTNAA is an expert non-profit entity whose membership consists {of professional} registered nurses of Trinidad and Tobago origin.
Williams stated the features of TTNAA are to: Coordinate the concepts and actions of its members; conduct and promote persevering with academic applications in healthcare; assist and/or make a contribution to well being organizations in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and america of America; and function a useful resource group to all nurses.
In the course of the previous 55 years, Williams stated the affiliation has “maintained its focus and has provided a myriad of exercise within the furtherance of its objectives.
“To our nationals wishing to achieve a level in nursing, we provide scholarship grant awards yearly on the anniversary celebrations,” she stated.
So far, Williams stated a complete of 50-plus grant awards have been afforded to certified deserving nursing college students. This Scholarship Grant Awards program was initiated in 1990.
Williams stated the affiliation additionally offers mentoring for nursing graduates.
“The flexibility to acquire funds for the grant awards is thru the generosity of you, our patrons, members and well-wishers,” she stated. “TTNAA is targeted on persevering with to additional develop the nursing career that’s desperately in want of competent nurses.
“As much as this previous 12 months healthcare associates, in addition to exemplary members who supported and contributed to our group, had been acknowledged,” Williams added.
She stated persevering with well being training, within the type of conferences and seminars, are provided biennially all through the New York Metropolitan Space.
Williams stated TTNAA hosted its final in-person academic convention in Could of 2018 entitled “Well being Care System Challenges: Incentives for Entry and Supply of High quality Care.”
In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, she stated many on-line seminars had been carried out, even till at this time.
Williams stated TTNAA is now within the preparatory levels of attending the 33rd CNO in Guyana in the course of the month of October.
“The members present well being training to the residents within the varied communities in collaboration with native hospitals, church buildings and faculties,” she stated. “By way of these conferences and seminars, data on present traits in nursing and well being care is shared with individuals, thereby impacting the social, financial and life expertise on the whole.”
Since 1983, Williams stated TTNAA has constantly collaborated with the Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Affiliation by coordinating five-day quadrennial conferences in Trinidad and Tobago.
“These ongoing conferences’ closing evaluations normally reveal optimistic outcomes and supply alternatives for the 2 associations to guage the tutorial wants of the homeland,” she stated, stating that individuals at these embody nationals, USA, Caribbean area, Canada and the UK.
“The group may be very cognizant of the truth that the power of any affiliation depends upon its membership,” Williams stated. “Subsequently, colleagues are inspired to turn into part of TTNAA by way of lively recruitment efforts. Please be a part of us. Our web site is https://wwwttnaainc.com.
“The officers and members take a look at this milestone as a possibility to rejoice and provides thanks,” she added. “Rejoice, due to our excellent development and accomplishments. We give due to our many patrons and associates, who’ve supported us so graciously over these 55 years.
“As we have fun this auspicious and memorable event, we glance towards the long run with confidence, figuring out that our group will proceed to develop from power to power in the direction of attaining even larger heights,” Williams continued. “It’s our prayer that our guideline for the long run might be ‘God is our refuge and our power.’”
She invited the general public to assist the group’s forth-coming actions, together with the 4th Annual Stroll, a fundraising occasion in the direction of the Annual Grant Scholarship Award Ceremony to help deserving nursing college students defray the price of their training, in Queens, on Saturday, June 8, 2024, 10 a.m., Brookville Park (Brookville Ave. & 147th Ave.); in Brooklyn, Saturday, June 15, 2024, 10 a.m. Prospect Park (Ocean Ave. & Lincoln Pl.)
“In case you are unable to return to those places, we encourage you to stroll wherever that you’ll be able to and phone any member to donate contributions,” Williams stated.
She stated the group may also be internet hosting its 56th Anniversary Gala and 32nd Annual Scholarship Grant Award on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Glen Terrace, 5313 Ave. N, Brooklyn, NY 11234.
TTNAA’s mailing tackle is 1977 Ralph Ave., Suite 634, Brooklyn, NY 11234.
“We stay up for all future collaborations for ‘Collectively We Aspire, Collectively We Will Proceed to Obtain,’” she stated, modifying the group’s motto.
