By Donna Bailey, , BSc., NA

The Jamaica Association of Nurse Anaesthetistss (JANA) was formed in 1971. The birth of this Association was the result of the vision, determination and hard work of a group of nurse anaesthetists who recognized the urgent need for improvement in vital areas of nurse anaesthesia such as recognition, education, practice, service and remuneration. Other areas of concern were:

• Limited scope of specialization, for example regional anaesthesia which is not done by nurse anaesthetists in Jamaica.
• Lack of resources with which to give optimal care.
• Unavailability of anaesthetic providers for consultation.
• Difficulty in maintaining standards in some hospitals because of workload and attitudinal problems of surgeons and other health professionals.
• Lack of upward mobility.
• Inadequate support for continuing education.
• Lack of public education re’ the work and worth of nurse anaesthetists.

A number of objectives were formulated such as:

1. To establish a national Board of Accreditation
2. To acquire malpractice insurance for its members
3. To achieve satisfactory reimbursement for performance
4. To acquire knowledge and skills in the technique of regional anaesthesia
5. To forge alliance with other regional and international associations
6. To develop a career structure similar to that of other groups
7. To achieve licensure and registration for practice for its members

Some of the objectives were Successfully met. They are as follows:

1. Formal training of nurse anaesthetists began in 1981 with the opening of the Jamaica School of Nurse Anaesthetists (JSNA), located at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH).
2. Anaesthetists is presently administered by trained nurse anaesthetists and doctor anaesthetists in all hospitals in the island. Recovery rooms or Post Anaesthetic Care Units have been established in most of the Government hospitals.
3. There is now a pre-anaesthetic clinic where patients are adequately assessed and prepared for anaesthesia in some of the hospitals.
4. JANA continues to agitate for the placement of doctor anaesthetist at strategic points to ensure quality and the same level of anaesthesia care throughout the island.
5. Biannual Caribbean Association of nurse Anaesthetists Conference spearheaded by JANA
6. Regular attendance at the Annual Conference of the American Association of Nurse Anaesthetistss and the Quadrennial conference of the International Federation of Nurse Anaesthetists
7. Implementation of the Bachelor of Health Science Degree — University of Technology
8. Members graduating with Masters degree in the following:
   • Nursing Education and Administration Department of Advanced Nursing Education Unit — UWI
   • Workforce Education and Development — UTech
   • Philosophy — UWI
     • Physiology
     • Pharmacology
     • Microbiology
9. JANA is a member of the International Federation of Nurse Anaesthetistss (IFNA) since 1979. and an associate member of the American Association of Nurse Anaesthetistss (AANA)
10. In 1977 the Jamaica Association of Nurse Anaesthetists in collaboration with the Nurses Association of Jamaica agitated for the socio-economic welfare of nurse anaesthetists, resulting in the Ministry of Health awarding thirty (30) nurse anaesthetist posts. A major achievement, as nurse anaesthesia had now become a recognized nursing speciality in the health system.
11. In August 2000/2002 a large contingency of nurse anaesthetists attended the world congress in Chicago and Helsinki — Finland, and again in 2006 in Lausanne — Switzerland.
12. Registration of JANA since March 2006 under the Companies
13. An affiliate of the National Workers Union since 2007.
14. Transfer agreement has been signed between the Ministries of Education and Health and UTech for the training of nurse anaesthetists, to commence in the 2008 academic year.

Awards received by individual members:

• Order of Distinction Officers Class
• Medal for Dedicated Service
• Governor General’s Award
• JANA Award — ‘Nurse Anaesthetists of the Year’ (Co- sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline)
• NAJ— ‘Nurse of the Year’
• Hospital — ‘Worker of the Year’ — May Pen Hospital

JANA

• Holds its Annual Refresher Conference the first weekend in November each year.
• Annual General Meeting in March each year.
• Active participants in AANA conference every year and the IFNA World Congress every four years.
• Co-host the CNAA (1996 and 1998)
• Runs ongoing seminars I
• Involve in community outreach programmes
• Co-host NAJ conference — 1993 and 2003

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Jamaica Association of Nurse Anaesthetistss is to advance the art and science of anaesthesia through a committed, satisfied and respected workforce. thereby providing patients with anaesthesia care that is accessible, cost-effective and of a high standard.

VISION

Nurse Anaesthetistss will be recognized in the field of anaesthesia for the significant contribution to health care in Jamaica and the English Speaking Caribbean Islands.

CORE VALUES

Advocacy, Excellence

MOTTO

Service Driven — Vision, Excellence

OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE:

1. To promote. develop and maintain high standards of professional service and cost-effective anaesthesia care of patients.
2. To serve as the voice of the Nurse Anaesthetistss in Jamaica and for other Caribbean Islands in matters relative to the profession, and to influence conditions of employment that are likely to attract and retain qualified persons in the profession.
3. To stimulate and maintain professional competence through continuing research, education and training of nurse anaesthetists.
4. To protect the socio-economic welfare of nurse anaesthetists.
5. To promote co-operation between nurse anaesthetists nationally, regionally and internationally. through affiliation with organizations such as IFNA, AANA, ICN and CANA.
6. To encourage and facilitate cooperation between nurse anaesthetists, the medical and nursing professions. hospital and health services, para-medical disciplines and other interested or related persons and institutions.
7. To cooperate with or become affiliated to such persons, agencies or organizations, local or international as may have similar or related objectives.