About the Council
Protecting the public through nursing and midwifery education, professional standards and accountable practice in The Bahamas since 1972.
Our purpose
The Council's mandate is to develop and execute regulations and byelaws that govern the education and practice of nurses and midwives in accordance with the Nurses and Midwives Act and subsidiary regulations.
Vision
To protect the public through the enforcement of quality nursing education, training, and practice.
Mission
Provide the legal framework to control education, training and practice of Nurses and Midwives in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Establish and monitor the standards of professional Nursing and Midwifery through on-going collaboration with statutory accreditation body, Nursing Schools, and Health Professionals.
Professionalism
The Nursing Council upholds ethical principles and conducts its business with utmost objectivity and confidentiality.
Integrity
The Nursing Council is guided by honesty, fairness and respect.
Excellence
The Nursing Council is committed to maintaining high standards and ensuring the advancement of evidence-informed nursing and midwifery practice.
Responsiveness
The Nursing Council acts promptly and efficiently to address requests and matters of concern in a timely manner and provide feedback.
Current Council
Nursing leadership, professional representatives, legal counsel, education and medical expertise support the Council’s work.
Council-supplied appointments, August 2026.
- Chairperson
- Ferneka Deleveaux
- Deputy Chairperson
- Tamica Knowles
- Director of Nursing (ex officio)
- Ms. Genevieve Bowe
- Ministry of Education Representative
- Ms. Vanria Jack
- Legal Counsel/Attorney
- Ms. Morlette Johnson
- Midwives Association Representative
- Ms. Andrea Nottage
- Nurses Association Representative
- Ms. Jen Rolle
- Nurses Association Representative
- Ms. Tandra Longley
- Nurses Association Representative
- Ms. Valencia Rolle
- Other Nursing Representative
- Ms. Shirley Bain
- Medical Practitioner
- Vacant
What the Council does
Section 8 of the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2023 sets out the Council’s functions. Select an area to read the statutory wording.
Standards, education and practiceSets the foundation for safe, consistent nursing and midwifery practice in The Bahamas.
- 8(a)Establish the qualifications, standards of education, training and practice for nursing personnel.
- 8(b)Control the education, training, practice, registration or enrollment, and licensing of nursing personnel.
- 8(c)Monitor education, training and practice in nursing and midwifery.
Public interest and professional conductPlaces people receiving care first while safeguarding public confidence in the profession.
- 8(d)Consider the health and well-being of persons who require nursing or midwifery services as paramount.
- 8(e)Consider the interests of licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, student midwives, midwives and advanced practice nurses, and any other profession referred to under the Act.
- 8(f)Ensure that standards of professional conduct are adhered to by nurse interns, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, student midwives, midwives and advanced practice nurses.
Competence and professional developmentKeeps nursing personnel competent and current throughout their professional practice.
- 8(g)Ensure continuing professional development of nursing personnel in the practice of nursing, and competency in the practice of nursing and midwifery.
- 8(h)Determine continuing professional development credits and requirements for nursing personnel.
- 8(i)Prescribe codes of conduct for nursing personnel.
Partnerships and assistive personnelConnects the Council with the organisations and people that support safe nursing care.
- 8(j)Collaborate with employers of nursing personnel, educational institutions that provide training for nursing personnel, and national, regional and international professional and regulatory bodies.
- 8(k)Control the training and practice of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel.
- 8(l)Determine continuing education requirements for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel.
- 8(m)Consider the interests of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, nursing students and nurse interns.
Agencies, registration and authorisationProvides the formal routes for recognition, licensing, authorisation and agency oversight.
- 8(n)Establish the standards, and regulate and monitor the operations, of nursing agencies.
- 8(o)Grant certificates of enrollment or registration, and licences to nursing personnel.
- 8(p)Issue letters of authorisation to nurse interns.
- 8(q)Record Unlicensed Assistive Personnel.
- 8(r)Grant certificates of registration, and licences to nursing agencies.
Records, oversight and adviceMaintains accountable records, investigates concerns and supports national health policy.
- 8(s)Maintain an electronic database on the enrollment or registration, licence, location, professional activities of nursing personnel and any other information as determined by the Council.
- 8(t)Investigate professional conduct, or the competency, of nursing personnel to practise nursing and midwifery.
- 8(u)Investigate the conduct of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel.
- 8(v)Investigate the operations of nursing agencies.
- 8(w)Advise the Minister on matters pertaining to the Act.
- 8(x)Carry out any other function conferred on the Council under the Act.
Code of Ethics for nursing practice
Revised in February 2025, the Code of Ethics guides ethical decision-making, accountability, professionalism, and safe care for nurses, midwives, students, educators, administrators, and researchers.
Trustworthy Patient-Centred Care
Nurses are expected to respect dignity, culture, privacy, informed decision-making, confidentiality, and equitable access to care.
Safe Practice Environments
The Code emphasizes competent practice, safe delegation, lifelong learning, appropriate use of technology, and action when care is at risk.
A Respected Profession
Nurses must uphold honesty, integrity, compassion, professional conduct, public trust, and responsible conduct in person and online.
Health and Wellbeing
The Code calls nurses to support public health, emergency readiness, mental wellness, health equity, sustainability, and community collaboration.
Our history
Established in 1972, the Council continues its founding purpose: protecting citizens and all who require health care services in The Bahamas.
Nurses and Midwives Act Passed
With the repeal of the Midwives Ordinances of 1936, the Nurses and Midwives Act, 1971 became the statutory instrument for regulating nursing and midwifery education and practice in The Bahamas.
Council Established
The Nursing Council was established by the Minister of Health with a public-protection mandate to supervise nurses and midwives practising in the country.
First Regulations Approved
The first regulations formulated by the Council were approved by the Minister of Health and passed as law in the House of Parliament.
Agency Regulations Added
Agency regulations strengthened the Council framework for nursing agency oversight and regulatory requirements.
Modern Act Passed
The Nurses and Midwives Act, 2023 repealed the 1971 Act. The Council is guided by the 2023 Act and continues to apply the 1971 Regulations until new regulations are passed.
The founding Council
The first appointed Council brought together leaders across nursing, medicine and public service. Historical administration record: Mrs. Beverly Ford served as Registrar and is not listed as a Council member.
- Ms. Hilda Bowen
- Chairperson
- Mrs. Ironaca Morris
- Secretary elect
- Mrs. Dorothy Philips
- Treasurer elect
- Mrs. Ophelia Munnings
- Member
- Mrs. Brendel Cox
- Member
- Mr. T. G. Glover
- Member
- Dr. Kirkland Culmer
- Member
- Mrs. Eloise Penn
- Member
- Ms. Sylvia Davis
- Member
- Mrs. Ruby Nottage
- Member
Chairpersons through the years
Council-supplied historical record. Service periods are shown where they were supplied.
- Ms. Hilda Bowen1972 - 1976
- Mrs. Dorothy Phillips1977
- Ms. Hilda Bowen1978 - 1983
- Mrs. Ironaca Morris-Baker1984 - 1992
- Mrs. Castella Bowleg1993 - 1996
- Mrs. Beverley Ford1997 - 1999
- Mr. Andil LaRoda2000
- Mrs. Jacqueline Dean2001 - 2003
- Mrs. Philabertha Carter2004 - 2007
- Ms. Ivy Wilson2007 - 2008
- Mrs. Maggie Turner2008 - 2011
- Mrs. Coral Dean2011 - 2013
- Mrs. Gwendolyn Brice-Sealy2013 - 2014
- Carol Markey
- Patricia Newbold
- Patricia Brown
- Ferneka Deleveaux
Registrars through the years
The Registrar leads the Council’s administration. Service periods are shown where supplied in the Council record.
- Mrs. Theda Godet
- Ms. Mary Johnson
- 2010 - 2022
- Mrs. Ruth Albury
- 2022 - Present
The Council seal
Designed in 1971 by Student Nurse Dorothy Hepburn nee Morris, the seal’s healing hands represent compassionate care, the conch shell represents The Bahamas, and the flame represents Florence Nightingale.
Council governance
The First Schedule of the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2023 establishes an eleven-member Council appointed by the Minister.
- Nursing leadership1 seat
- Director of Nursing, serving ex officio
- Nursing representation6 seats
- Four nurses from different categories, including a nursing educator and advanced practice nurse
- Two nurses nominated by the Nurses Association of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
- Professional partners2 seats
- One Midwives Association nominee
- One Medical Association nominee
- Legal Counsel/Attorney1 seat
- One Legal Counsel/Attorney nominated by the Minister, with at least ten years standing at The Bahamas Bar
- Education appointment1 seat
- One Minister of Education nominee
Office of the Registrar
Registrar
Leads Council administration and supports the Council’s statutory and operational work.
Deputy Registrar
Supports the Registrar and continuity of Council administration.