This month of May sets aside a time for recognizing nurses, and all they do to give care to those in need. Nursing is a true labour of love. Nurses work tirelessly and are often overlooked, so Weekender wants to take this time to say thank you to the nurses of our island in a three-part series, beginning with this profile of Nurse Merlene Maxwell who today celebrates her twentieth anniversary as a nurse on St. Maarten.
Her name is Merlene Maxwell. She was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica in1958. As a young girl she always tried to reach out to others through songs or storytelling. “My main objective was to see people happy. I was always touched by the feeling of others. Therefore, I felt the purpose in my heart was that I wanted to become a nurse.”
As a little girl she would use her spare time to visit sick and lonely people. “I would sometimes cook, wash and clean for them.” She struggled to achieve the education she needed to qualify for nursing school. “After many years of determination, I was finally accepted to Le Excel School for Practical Nursing. From 1984-1985 I was successful in all practical assessments and written exams.”
Merlene came to St. Maarten in February of 1995, and this opened up new possibilities for her. “I was determined to be the best nurse any patient could wish for. I went back to school and completed my CXC exams. After that, I entered the Red Cross Foundation where I did many different courses from Basic First Aid to First Aid Instructor. Courses also included Search and Rescue and First Responder. This made me a qualified First Responder.”
Two years after arriving on St. Maarten, Merlene got a job at the White and Yellow Cross Foundation. “I was not accepted into the nursing division at this time, because there was no vacancy for a nurse. However, I was accepted in Sister Basilia Centre as a group leader.”
She was determined to provide quality care as a group leader, so she followed an MBO study which lasted for three years, which was a challenge because, as she recalls for WEEKender, “I was working full-time and studying. My first year was the most challenging of all. I was hospitalized in 1999, however, this did not stop me from studying. I asked my teacher to allow me to do my exam in my hospital bed in order to pass my first year. I did this and passed my first year with good grades. I also passed my second and third year with good grades. In my three years of MBO studies I did early stimulation, early detection, pedagogies, psychology, management skills and all that comes along with this package.”
The opening of the Sister Basilia Night Care Department gave her even more possibilities. The foundation was upgrading the workers and she was on the list to be upgraded to an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). “This was what I wanted to do since I was a child,” she says, “be a real nurse.” She thanks Mr. Anthony and Mrs. Brinellida who played a very important role in helping her to develop in her profession. “They are great teachers that make things happen. I was transformed into a LPN after studying from 2008-2010. My thesis was focused on improving health for the mentally and physically challenged by means of physical activity.”
As a senior, working at Sister Basilia Centre, Merlene gives guidance to clients, new staff members and students. Many of these students are now Registered Nurses, LPN’s, Managers and Unit Leaders. “I am determined to continue this good work of giving care. I have been active in the nursing field for 33 years, and have worked for many different organizations, such as private homes and foundations. In 1986, my picture was in the newspaper as the most comforting nurse. In 1987, my quick reaction saved the life of a person who was having a massive heart attack. In May 2016, I was awarded a certificate in honour of my nursing excellence, earning me a nomination for the Nurse’s Orris Jack Bell Award from St. Maarten Medical Centre.”
Merlene Maxwell is just one of the many special nurses that keep our community happy, healthy and thriving. She says she mostly wants to say thank you to White and Yellow Cross Foundation and the team that has been like a family to her all these years. “I appreciate what they have done for me,” she says, “They have helped me to grow.” Clearly what goes around comes around, and Nurse Merlene is also highly appreciated for how she has helped her colleagues and those in her care to reach new heights and live their values to the fullest.
