Driven by a profound personal loss and an unwavering commitment to compassionate care, Sierra Leonean nurse Betty Koker is emerging as a powerful force for change within the nation’s healthcare system.
Her journey, marked by dedication and the transformative impact of mentorship, exemplifies how local leadership, nurtured through targeted training, is building a stronger and more resilient healthcare future for Sierra Leone.
Betty’s path into nursing was forged in the crucible of childhood grief. “I lost my mom… she died after giving birth,” she recounts, her voice steady. “According to my dad, it was due to the negligence of the nurses. And from there, I decided to become a nurse so that I can help people, especially children, not to become orphans.”
Fueled by this deeply personal vow, Betty left her hometown of Bo and journeyed to Freetown, determined to channel her sorrow into purpose. She pursued her passion at the Faculty of Nursing at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone, graduating as a registered nurse in 2016.
Her commitment was immediate. Upon graduation, Betty volunteered her services at Connaught Hospital, Freetown’s largest public hospital, eager to apply her newly acquired skills. Today, she is a full-time nurse at the institution, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to her patients. Her dedication extends further through her active participation in a mentorship program run by Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) Department, an international charity focused on strengthening healthcare systems through education and training. This program is proving instrumental in expanding Betty’s clinical expertise and amplifying her positive impact.
Learning and growth through Mercy Ships’ Mentorship
The ETA program strategically pairs local healthcare professionals with experienced mentors. At Connaught Hospital, Betty began working closely with Katie Henderson, a seasoned nurse mentor from the UK. Katie quickly recognized Betty’s exceptional potential.
The mentorship program introduced Betty and her colleagues to standardized nursing protocols, including the critical A-to-E assessment and neurovascular evaluations. These tools are essential for the early identification of deteriorating patients, enabling timely escalation of care. However, beyond these vital clinical techniques, it was Betty’s innate empathy and human touch that truly distinguished her.
Katie Henderson recounts a powerful observation: “I witnessed Betty educating a patient who was preparing for surgery. This patient was quite nervous about going down to surgery; he was worried that he was not going to be safe, and he was just worried about the outcomes of his surgery. I watched Betty use her training to educate him and ease his worries. She was so confident in her ability, and that made me proud.”
While some of the assessment tools were new concepts, the hands-on mentorship provided by the program effectively bridged the gap between theory and practical application. “There are things we learned which we have not been doing here. So, being mentored really helped us put them into practice. And there have been moments we have put many of these things into practice,” Betty explains.
Her pursuit of knowledge extended beyond the hospital walls. Betty had the opportunity to board the Global Mercy™, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, for an immersive training experience. This provided her with invaluable exposure to a fast-paced, well-resourced clinical environment where theoretical knowledge was put into rigorous practice.
“I worked in the orthopedic department, where children learn five key exercises with us,” she explains, highlighting the practical skills she acquired that she intends to implement at Connaught. Furthermore, Betty participated in realistic emergency simulations within the Global Mercy Simulation Center, honing her skills in managing post-operative complications, conducting rapid A-to-E assessments, and making critical decisions under pressure. This safe learning environment has significantly enhanced her preparedness for real-world clinical scenarios.
The profound impact of mentorship: Beyond technique
For Betty, the most impactful lessons transcended textbooks and simulations. They came from witnessing leadership characterized by consistency, genuine care, and unwavering excellence.
“What I have learned from Katie is dedication. She’s very dedicated to her job,” Betty states with admiration. “When Katie says she’s coming at 8 a.m., she shows up at 8 a.m. She is very time conscious, dedicated, and compassionate.”
This consistent and exemplary leadership has had a tangible ripple effect. Under Katie’s guidance, Betty and her peers have demonstrated a sharpened focus and a commitment to higher standards of patient care.
“Whenever she’s around for a sort of monitoring, we all come around the patient… she can do the correction whenever necessary. If there is no correction needed, Katie applauds you and gives you a reason to do more.”
Bringing knowledge and driving change back home
Returning to Connaught Hospital, Betty is equipped with new knowledge and a revitalized sense of purpose. Despite the resource limitations often faced in her setting, she is determined to implement the best practices she has learned. “It exposes you to see reality. In Connaught, there are things that we just don’t have. On Mercy Ships, they have everything… but it teaches us to improvise,” she reflects.
Her transformation has been both professional and deeply personal, fostering a renewed understanding of the fundamental human aspects of care. “Sometimes love… you can show love without being paid for it… you can show compassion without being paid for it,” she shares. “A smile can lift pain from so many people.”
Betty expresses hope that Mercy Ships’ presence will have a sustainable impact, emphasizing that their role is to empower local professionals to build stronger healthcare facilities, not to create dependency.
A future shaped by hope and leadership
For Betty Koker, the future is not solely defined by the tasks she performs but by the leader she is becoming. She firmly believes that the nurse mentorship program facilitated by Mercy Ships is not just enhancing individual skills; it is fundamentally shaping healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes across Sierra Leone. “It will influence my work positively in Connaught because here, I have learned to be more precise and I know it will help my patients,” Betty affirms.
When asked about the local perception of Mercy Ships in Freetown, Betty’s smile speaks volumes: “Back at Connaught, people say Mercy Ships is a godsend… that they are sent here to help people. They are everywhere.”
Reflecting on the essential qualities of an exceptional nurse, Betty’s perspective is profound. “The main thing I’ve learned here is whatever you are doing, you should be compassionate about it. You should do it with love, confidence, and teamwork.”
Through her remarkable journey, Betty Koker has not only excelled as a nurse but has also embraced her potential as a future leader, poised to make a lasting difference in the healthcare landscape of Sierra Leone.
ABJ/APA