Who am I, you ask? My name is Joanna Bernard, and I am proud to be part of a rich history and a vibrant future. I have dedicated the past ten years of my life to continued educational advancement and nursing, a profession that allows me to care for others with compassion, skill, and dedication. In 2019, I made the significant decision to leave my beautiful, beloved home on the island of Trinidad and Tobago and move to the United Kingdom. My goal was to gain new experiences and grow within the healthcare industry, and this journey has been both challenging and rewarding.
Leaving Trinidad and Tobago was a difficult step but like with most things growth does not come without stepping outside of your comfort zone. The warmth of my homeland and the close-knit bonds with my parents, siblings, and extended family were hard to part with. However, modern technology has kept us closely connected, and planned vacation trips have been a precious opportunity to reunite and recharge. It is essentially to remain connected to your faith and family, as for me I won’t be who I am without them or it.
Over the past five years, I have grown immensely, both personally and professionally. Through dedication and hard work, I’ve advanced from a staff nurse to deputy sister, and for the last year, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a sister in the emergency department. Working in such a dynamic workplace has been a truly rewarding experience, particularly with the diverse and brilliant colleagues with whom I am fortunate to collaborate with on a daily basis.
Life is what we make of it. It’s crucial to know who you are and to embrace your true, authentic self. We are all wonderfully and equally made, and when we believe in ourselves and recognize our worth, the possibilities that lay before us are boundless. Our history is an essential part of who we are, but it is not the sum of our potential. By understanding our past and valuing ourselves in the present, we open the door to a future filled with limitless opportunities.
As we celebrate the people behind the culture: the History of Our Forefathers called ‘Black History Month’, let us remember that we are more than just a colour. We are all individuals with unique stories, desires, and the abilities, that can and will shape our own futures. I am proud of my path I have journeyed and I am excited about the numerous possibilities that lay ahead.