After a ten-year career in Aruba, she came to St. Maarten in 1986 where she first worked at the St. Rose Hospital and later at the St. Maarten Medical Center. When she realized the shortage of professional nurses, she studied to become a nursing instructor. Later she stood at the basis of the creation of the center’s education department. Over the years, she has trained more than 200 nurses who work not only in St. Maarten but also in Saba and Statia. Every weekend she travels to the two small islands to train more nurses. Francis-Illidge lectures as a volunteer at primary schools and secondary schools about sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, self-esteem and hygiene.