There’s a worldwide shortage of nurses but in Bermuda, there’s no lack of enthusiasm to enter the field. In June the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) announced plans to introduce a new nursing certificate and invited applications.

The response was overwhelming with many people interested in the four posts. Kathy Lewis, Director of Clinical Programmes at BHB, was pleased with the interest shown in the Certificate For Nursing Assistants programme.

“One challenge has been trying to control the number of people that have expressed an interest. Otherwise the process has been a smooth one,” she said. “The interest in this programme is phenomenal. Many questions revolve around the opportunity to become registered nurses.”

The four recipients of the award will attend Gateway Community College in Phoenix, Arizona in January. The programme is intensive lasting four months. On successful completion of the course the students will sit the Arizona state board exams to return to Bermuda certified.

Ms Lewis said the programme enables the BHB “to be able to facilitate higher learning opportunities for our staff which ultimately guarantees better patient care and improves job enrichment.”

The four recipients; Nicole DeShields, Peta Evans, Patrina Ricketts and Dionne Gouness were honoured at a luncheon last week attended by Health Minister Patrice Minors.