The nursing programme at the Montserrat Community College (MCC) recommenced on Monday, January 8, 2018 after a break of almost seven years.
The reintroduction of the nursing programme was announced by the Honourable Minister of Education and Health, Delmaude Ryan. She said the eight students will be tutored by local qualified professionals who will train them to become nursing assistants in the first instance and then they will go on to the registered nurses programme.
Minister Ryan noted that the resumption of the course is critical for the advancement of our health sector. She said, “The restart of the nursing programme is a tremendous achievement given the critical need for nurses in our health sector, and especially as we look at strengthening our health sector and moving forward in preparation for a new hospital—it is critical that we have the workforce necessary to operate in that environment.”
Additionally, the honorable Minister highlighted the significance of restarting and continuing the programme to ensure that Montserrat retains nurses. “Our nursing population is depleting. Over the years we’ve had significant challenges in recruiting persons to work in Montserrat. Our nursing population is also ageing as 35% of this population will retire in less than 10 years, so it is very important for us to start the journey in developing the number of nurses we need to work in Montserrat and to enhance the health sector overall,” explained Minister Ryan.
The honourable Minister congratulated the nursing students for embarking on this journey and thanked the tutors and the Montserrat Community College for the support they will provide.
Sister Tutor in the Ministry of Health, Nyomi Joseph Foster said the key and core of nursing is caring and as such the nursing students will be taught what it means to care. She also encouraged the students to pursue higher education in nursing.
The nursing programme, which will run for 18 months, is expected to expose the students to theoretical and practical exercises.