My name is Marina Oluyemi John. In 1970, I became a State Registered Nurse and in the following year, I became a qualified State Registered Midwife.

 

Mrs. Marina John Director, Nurses Board

 I obtained a Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing in 1972. From 1973 to 1974, I was a staff nurse attached to the Intensive Care Unit at the Connaught Hospital. In the following year, I was promoted to Ward Sister at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital.

Three years later in 1978, I was transferred to the Lungi Government Hospital (PCMH) where I held the same post. From 1980 to 1986, I was appointed Sister-in-Charge of the Labour Ward at the P C M H, Freetown. In 1986 also, I obtained a Certificate in Reproductive Health.

In 1987, I was made a Clinical Teacher at the National Midwifery School, a post which I held for seven years. In 1993, I obtained a Certificate in Health Administration. I was later appointed Registrar of the Nurses and Midwifery Board in 1995. I held this post until 1999 when I was made the Director of Nursing Services, a position I hold to date.

I have conducted several trainings one of which is the training on the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV. In 2005, I was given the Nurse of the Year Award by All Works of Life (AWOL).

As the Director of Nursing Services, my job is to ensure the collection of data that will help greatly with postings. This is a project that I am currently working on because I believe that each nurse has his or her own specialty and as such, should be posted to where he or she can make a difference.

I am also working towards producing and disseminating a booklet on Nursing Ethics. I believe that this would greatly help nurses conform to the already established order practiced in the profession.