Youngest LASCO Nurse of the Year continues to shine
LASCO/Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) Nurse of the Year 2014-2015 Shashana Lawrence says she has grown significantly since she received the title. The critical care nurse who is based at the Kingston Public Hospital says winning the award has opened her eyes to a variety of career paths within nursing.
“There are many different avenues that I didn’t think of before. Now I have the knowledge of how to take that route,” she explains.
Lawrence says that since she was named Nurse of the Year she was motivated to pursue skills which she feels will help to open doors.
“The award really boosted my confidence in my ability to progress. I have increased my efforts in professional networking and have improved on my public speaking skills.”
She used these skills when she presented at the Critical Care Conference 2014, and in her current position as chairperson of the Critical Care Special Interest Group.
Lawrence, who was 30 at the time of the award, is the youngest to have been nominated. The weight of this fact is not lost on her.
“The award has had an impact not just on my own life, but on my peers’. Younger nurses don’t expect to be recognised; but the award is based on the hard work you put in. My colleagues say they feel like they can aspire to be recognised for their efforts,” she says.
A nurse on a mission for wellness, Lawrence hopes to implement two fitness centres across the island for members of the NAJ as her social development project. While still acquiring equipment to commence the establishment of the first fitness centre at the NAJ headquarters in Kingston, she notes that this project will carry on after her reign.
Having started her personal fitness journey in 2013, she notes that it has improved the delivery of her nursing duties, way of life and overall health.
“Although nursing is an on-the-go job, we still need to reenergise our bodies and be more active. I enjoy exercising, I use it as a method of de-stressing, to burn calories and to have fun,” she explains.
She says being Nurse of the Year is not without its challenges.
“You win the award for the work you put in, but once you have it you become an example. You come under more scrutiny, so I’ve had to be even more meticulous than I was before.”
She adds: “The challenge also became an opportunity. I’ve had to learn new things and increase my skill levels.”
Lawrence plans to use the scholarship component of her prize package to pursue a master’s degree in epidemiology or public health.
“The most important thing is to learn from the experience and continue focusing on getting the job done,” she advises the upcoming 2015-2016 winner.
