Hilda Bowen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hilda Bowen
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1983
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| Born |
Hilda Valeria Barnice Bowen
12 October 1923 |
| Died | 2002 (aged 78–79) Nassau, The Bahamas
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| Nationality | Bahamian |
| Occupation | Nurse, nursing administrator |
| Years active | 1953-1990s |
| Known for | establishing the modern nursing profession in the Bahamas |
Hilda Bowen (born October 12, 1923 – died March 20, 2002) was a very important nurse from the Bahamas. She was the first Bahamian to be fully trained as a nurse. She also became the first Bahamian to lead a public hospital's nursing team.
Hilda Bowen helped create the modern nursing profession in the Bahamas. She worked hard to set up the Bahamas Nursing Council. This group helps manage and set standards for nursing in the country. She also pushed for nurses to get university degrees. For her amazing work, she received the Order of the British Empire award in 1969.
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Early Life and Education
Hilda Valeria Barnice Bowen was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on October 12, 1923. Her parents were Jestina and Irvin Bowen. She grew up with five brothers and sisters.
Hilda went to St. Francis Xavier primary school. She also attended the Western Junior and Senior Schools. She finished her high school studies at the Government High School in 1942. After school, she taught first-grade students for three years.
Studying Nursing in the UK
In 1946, Hilda was chosen for a special scholarship. The Governor-General of the Bahamas picked her for the Colonial Scholarship Program. This program helped people study in the United Kingdom. The goal was to improve different fields in the Caribbean Colonial Territories.
Hilda was the first person chosen to study nursing. She went to Farnborough General Hospital in Orpington, Kent. She studied there for three years. In 1950, she became the first Afro-Bahamian to be a fully trained nurse.
She wanted to learn even more. So, she went to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. There, she became a specialist in eye nursing in 1951.
At that time, nurses in the Bahamas also needed to be trained as midwives. To make sure she could get a job, Hilda studied midwifery. She trained at the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. She also studied at the Stirling Royal Infirmary. She earned her midwife certification there. Hilda started looking for nursing jobs in 1952. She returned to the Bahamas and began working in 1953.
A Career in Nursing Leadership
Hilda Bowen started working at Bahamas General Hospital in 1953. She quickly moved up in her career. In 1962, she became the first Bahamian-born matron at Princess Margaret Hospital. A matron is like a head nurse or nursing manager.
In 1965, she became the main matron for the Public Health Department. Then, in 1970, she became the Chief Nursing Officer for the Ministry of Health. This meant she was in charge of where nurses worked all over the country.
Improving Nursing Standards
Hilda Bowen strongly believed in high standards for nursing. She played a big part in creating the Bahamas Nursing Council. This council helps make sure nurses are well-trained and follow important rules.
In 1969, she was given the Member of the Order of the British Empire award. This was for her important work in improving healthcare in the Bahamas.
In 1980, a new job was created just for her: Director of Nursing. In this role, she helped build up the nursing profession in the country. She pushed for nurses to get university degrees. She wanted a special nursing program to be set up in the Bahamas.
Discussions began in 1982 with the College of the Bahamas. They worked to offer an Associate degree in Nursing. By 1984, a program was ready. From 1984 to 1991, nurses started getting degrees instead of just diplomas. In 1991, the library at the College of the Bahamas grew to include the old School of Nursing building. In 1994, this new library branch was named after Hilda Bowen to honor her.
Legacy
Hilda Bowen passed away in 2002. She is remembered for her huge role in creating the modern nursing profession in the Bahamas.
