Nurse of the Year Geneive Williams-Hart knew from a young age that she wanted to care for people.

She found a career as a nurse was a perfect fit and now she has worked in paediatrics for almost three decades.

Her dedication was recognised at the weekend when Ms Williams-Hart, a school nurse with the Department of Health, was crowned Bermuda’s Nurse of the Year 2018 by the Bermuda Nurses Association.

She said: “It’s overwhelming; I didn’t expect it. I am honoured to be elected by my colleagues.”

Ms Williams-Hart knew she had been nominated for the award but she said it was still a shock when her name was called.

She said: “I was surprised — they got me good.”

Ms Williams-Hart said she had been a nurse for 29 years.

She said: “As a child, I always liked to care for people or even animals — my pets. I had that caring that was within me. I just felt it.

“If I had not become a nurse, I would have become a teacher. I like children. But I chose nursing and I’ve been in a paediatric setting for over 22 years.”

The Southampton resident, originally from Jamaica, has worked with the Department of Health for two years.

She said: “I am a community nurse, a school nurse. We are delegated schools. I have three schools that I attend to.”

Ms Williams-Hart, who earlier worked at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for 22 years, said her duties include health education, nutrition talks and puberty talks.

She said: “Diabetes and obesity is high in Bermuda, so we are trying to decrease that.

“With the nutrition talks, we have a goal which is called the WIG — that’s a widely important goal. We are trying to observe what the children are trying to take to school for their lunch boxes, if it’s nutritious.

“So the school nurse goes in once a month and we assess all P5 children’s lunch boxes.

“And with that, we tallied it and put it on a graph to find out how well our schools are doing regarding nutrition.”

Ms Williams-Hart explained that she also does the assessment for pupils who enter the school system aged five.

She said the assessment was part of a government programme that screens students in both public and private schools.

Ms Williams-Hart added: “And we do the assessment for 15-year-olds.”

She said her favourite part of the job was teaching her students about health and the importance of nutrition.

Ms Williams-Hart added: “It gives me pleasure to see the children, how they are eager to learn.

“And in the long run you can observe some, even if they were overweight, some will try to do exercises and they lose weight. That’s my joy, seeing what they accomplish.”

Ms Williams-Hart was presented with the award at a special brunch at Beau Rivage Restaurant on Sunday.

Joan Dillas-Wright, Senate president, told guests about the theme chosen for International Nurses’ Day 2018 — Nurses: A voice to lead — Health is a Human Right.

The event kicked off Nurses’ Week, which will run until Saturday.