Bermuda has no nursing schools so nursing education has to be completed overseas and most of the recruitment for health care organisations is from other countries. The nursing shortage is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. Compounding the problem is the fact that nursing colleges and universities are struggling to expand enrolment levels to meet the rising demand for nurses.

Hampton University School of Nursing in Hampton, Virginia, and Bermuda College offers nursing as a major for Bermudian students. The two-plus-two programme allows the student to study at Bermuda College for two years and a summer. The college offers a core curriculum that includes liberal arts, science and beginning nursing courses. After successful completion of the course requirements for an associate's degree in applied sciences, the student is able to transfer to Hampton University for two years to take the nursing courses necessary for a Bachelor's of Science in nursing degree. The Associate Degree in Applied Science courses can also be transferred to other universities.

The Bermuda College is in the process of establishing a Bermuda Nursing Programme and providing an accredited nursing education programme, which will qualify students to write and succeed at the Board examination (or NCLEX-RN) to become licensed as Registered Nurses.

Like few others, the profession of nursing offers a wide variety of specialities. From paediatrics to geriatrics, nursing's impact is felt across the lifespan.

Here is a sample of some areas:

Ambulatory Care

Asthma

Cardiovascular

Community

Corrections

Diabetic

Doctor's Offices

Emergency

Geriatrics

Home Care

Informatics

Insurance Agencies

Learning Disability

Medical

Neonatal

Oncology

Operating Room

Paediatrics

Psychiatric Nursing

Post Anaesthetic Care

Rehabilitation

Renal (dialysis)

Surgical

Courses of Study and Educational Requirements accepted Bermuda Nursing Council

United States:

All applicants must attend an N. L. N, Accredited Institution

Four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc. in Nursing or BSN) is encouraged.

Specific approved institutions are included in the Nursing League for Nursing Book and are available in the Council office.

Must pass the State Board Exam and become licensed in that State before being eligible for licensure in Bermuda.

Canada:

The Nurse Training Institution must be approved the specific Provincial Nursing Association.

Four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc. in Nursing) is encouraged.

Specific information pertaining to approved institutions in popular Provinces is available in the Council office.

Five O'Levels/GCSEs including Maths, English, Science, Chemistry and Biology are required for entry to Canadian Universities.

Must pass the Provincial Examinations and become licensed in that Province before eligibility for licensure in Bermuda.

West Indies:

Four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing is encouraged.

Entry requirements state four O'Levels/GCSEs are required, including English, Maths, a Science and another academic subject.

Must pass exam set by the Jamaican Nursing Council (J.N.C.) and become licensed by that Council before eligibility for licensure in Bermuda.

United Kingdom:

Registered Nursing Training in the United Kingdom requires 5 O'Levels/GCSEs, including Maths, English, Biology and Physics.

Must pass the U.K.C.C. final examination and receive licensure by the U.K.C.C. to be eligible for licensure in Bermuda.