A CALL TO THE LEADERS OF OUR PROFESSION; A LEADER WITHOUT BRAVERY WILL NEVER EARN THE RESPECT OF BRAVE FOLLOWERS by Olabanji Joel

Nursing in Nigeria today has had more downs than the ups which could be recorded, the retrogression occurring in the profession can be said to be from the weakness which has been shown by many of our leaders over the years, the professions which were initially behind us but later had courageous leaders to lead them are now ahead of us, what is left for nursing in my country is to struggle with Dental therapist, health information managers etc.

The reason why HND which has been imposed by our leaders on us was rejected by many when it was introduced is because something more than HND is needed in Nursing. Scrapping of Schools of Nursing or integration of schools of Nursing to the surrounding universities and upgrading all the post basic schools to post graduate schools would have moved nursing to an enviable height in the health care sector but our leaders have not been bold enough to take the huge step needed to this great height, instead, they preferred settling for the smaller alternative which was more easier with little or no effect on the present position of the profession in the health sector. OTHERS ARE CLAMOURING FOR HIGHER DEGREES, WE ARE STILL BURIED IN THE OLD GLORY OF SCHOOLS OF NURSING, POST BASIC SCHOOLS AND THE OLD STRUCTURE IN THE PROFESSION. I am of the belief that great distance is covered following a great leap, it might be difficult, one might be stretched but the bold and the responsible have their gaze on the effect of the leap on their being and not the temporary pains caused by the stretch. IF NURSING MUST BE BETTER, A COURAGE BACKED DECISION MUST BE MADE AND GREAT LEAP OUT OF THE ENCAPSULATION OF THE OLD SYSTEM MUST BE DONE.

A leader earns respect based on his actions and impacts, only weaklings will go with a cowardly leader, the brave ones will request for greater tasks therefore negating the decision of the leader and this affirms my statement that "a weak leader will never earn the respect of brave followers", the disagreement between the brave and the weak leads to imposition of order and directives which is the trend we now see in our Nursing today, our leaders hide under ethics and etiquette of the profession to cover their weaknesses and prevent being questioned, they end up imposing setbacks on the profession.

Nursing in Nigeria is frustrating, the vibrant ones are escaping from the system and those who are still around are looking for means to escape because the system gives us all reasons to leave, the future of the profession in this country has been clouded by impossibilities because our leaders see impossibilities and not opportunities.

After many months, I once again call on our leaders at the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the executives of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives to help the profession come out of this retrogressive vehicle, moves that has been termed impossible in the past should be revisited, it is not impossible as long as we all are ready to make it possible. Nursing in Nigeria is meant to be great, it should be great and it will be great but not while we are operating at an archaic state, upgrade is needed at all levels, each leaders need upgrade on leadership, risk taking and responsibilities and after all these, our leaders at all levels will be genuinely respected for their works.

Weak leadership and following is why we are where we are today, this is not where we are meant to be! Things need to change!

LET'S MOVE AND PUT ALL IMPOSSIBILITIES BEHIND US

NURSING IS OURS, LET'S TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER GROWTH.

Thanks 

Olabanji Joel

A Nurse, Writer and Socialist.

Edited by A vibrant Nurse on her way out of the system.