Turning personal experience into purpose - A Jamaican nurse’s fight against diabetes

Growing up in Portmore, St Catherine, Betty-Ann Mason always knew she wanted a career in healthcare. Today, the Jamaica-born nurse is making a difference thousands of miles from home as a diabetes specialist nurse in London, but her journey has been defined by perseverance, sacrifice and an unwavering desire to give back to Jamaica.

A past student of Meadowbrook High School in St Andrew, and graduate of the University of Technology, Jamaica, Nurse Mason credits her late father as one of the greatest influences behind her decision to become a nurse.

“I had wanted to do something in medicine. I first wanted veterinary medicine, but it was extremely expensive,” she recalled. “I used to help my father with his medication because he’s diabetic, so I decided to try nursing school, and he was really one of the main driving voices for me going into nursing school.”

Her path to qualification was far from easy. Throughout nursing school, Nurse Mason worked tirelessly to support herself financially, taking on multiple jobs while balancing the academic and clinical demands of her degree.

At various points, she worked in call centres and as a freelancer, offering services in graphic design, virtual assistance, transcription and website development.

One of her most vivid memories is the gruelling routine she maintained while completing her studies.

“One of my toughest memories was balancing night shifts with clinical placements. After finishing work at 7a.m., my mother would pick me up, let me shower at her workplace, drop me in Half-Way Tree, and I would travel to my placement at [National] Chest Hospital. After finishing at 3 p.m., I would go home, rest for a few hours, then prepare for another night shift at work.”

“It was exhausting, but it taught me resilience and allowed me to support myself while pursuing my nursing degree.”

That resilience would prove invaluable when Nurse Mason eventually relocated to the United Kingdom, where she has now lived and worked for more than three years.

She describes the overseas experience as both rewarding and emotional. “In the UK, it’s been bittersweet,” she said. “Meeting people from all different walks of life is exciting. You get to find commonalities with people from really all corners of the earth.”

Like many Jamaican professionals abroad, she had to learn quickly and adapt to unfamiliar systems and expectations. “As Jamaicans we adapt,” she said. “I eventually got used to it.”

She also learnt an important lesson about starting over in a new environment. “Once you are the newbie, you are getting the jobs that nobody wants to do. Once I realised the reality of being a newbie, I scheduled the harder task for the morning so I could have some downtime later in the day.”

Today, Nurse Mason enjoys a better work-life balance in a specialist role focused on diabetes care, an area that is deeply personal to her because of her father’s illness and the prevalence of diabetes among her relatives.

That personal connection has strengthened her passion for diabetes education and sharing what she learns with others. “I am getting so much information,” she said. “If I can get even just a quarter of the information that I am getting and share that with individuals in Jamaica, there would be such a huge impact.”

She believes that empowering patients with practical knowledge can prevent many serious complications. “A lot of the conditions that people end up in hospital with are secondary to diabetes – heart attacks, kidney issues, problems with the eyes and feet,” she explained. “If blood sugars are managed, a lot of these complications wouldn’t happen.”

Despite building a successful career in the UK, Nurse Mason admits that being separated from family remains one of the hardest aspects of living overseas.

“I am very family-oriented. I wish there was a way I could see them more often,” she said.

Daily WhatsApp calls help bridge the distance. “I call every day, so it doesn’t even feel like I get enough chances to miss them. I just miss them physically.”

When homesickness strikes, she finds comfort in planning her next trip to Jamaica. “When I feel homesick, I visualise my next trip to Jamaica. I also call my family, talk to my friends, maybe find a little Jamaican restaurant and eat some comfort food.”

In addition to work, Nurse Mason enjoys creating content for social media, educating users about diabetes through her TikTok page, Nursebettiebee, and documenting her experiences of life in the UK. It was this online presence that caught the attention of JN Money.

Her videos led to an opportunity with JN Money after a representative contacted her, noting an interest in her nursing videos and social media pages focused on diabetes education and life in the UK.

The invitation to be featured was an easy decision. “She asked if I would be interested in being featured for nurses, and I said, absolutely.”

Horace Hines, general manager, JN Money, believes the work and dedication she pours into her job, patients and others, by providing simplified information about diabetes, is admirable.

“Betty-Ann’s story reflects the resilience, determination and excellence of the Jamaican diaspora. From balancing nursing school with multiple jobs in Jamaica to adapting to the demands of a new life and healthcare system in England, she has demonstrated remarkable perseverance and a commitment to service,” said Hines said.

“Through her work as a diabetes specialist nurse and her efforts to educate others online, she continues to make a meaningful impact while maintaining a strong connection to Jamaica. We are especially proud to celebrate nurses, who represent a vital part of our customer base and work tirelessly overseas to support their families back home. Betty-Ann’s achievements exemplify that commitment, and at JN Money we are honoured to celebrate Jamaicans like her whose success abroad inspires others and highlights the strength and potential of our diaspora,” he added.

For Nurse Mason, however, recognition is secondary to the greater mission that continues to drive her. “I would love to be able to do what I am doing in Jamaica. You want to help your people,” she said.

Her long-term goal is to return with the expertise, practical experience and specialist knowledge needed to improve diabetes care in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. “I want to make sure that when I do come back, I am fully equipped. I am able to take on situations and help people.”

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com