The Nurses Association of Jamaica fears the Island?s nursing shortage will worsen as staff take up better terms in Bermuda. The Bermuda Hospitals Board is currently on a recruitment drive and has taken out advertisements for recruit specialist nurses, luring them with a starting salary ? among other benefits ? of US$54,550 per year.

The Nurses Association of Jamaica president Valda Lawrence-Campbell told the Jamaica Observer: ?We are concerned it is the specialist and experienced nurses who are leaving.

?This is just the beginning and we are concerned about what will happen to (our local) medical institutions.

?It?s a lucrative offer, so many nurses would go for it.?

Several specialist nurses have already taken up the offer with some leaving for Bermuda as early as this week.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board has been recruiting nurses for various units, including their medical and surgical wards, continuing care, rehabilitation, critical care, operating theatre, theatre recovery, midwifery and those with specialist skills in psychiatric care.

According to the advertisement, the nurses would be employed on three-year contracts, with an option to renew after the time has expired.

Successful candidates must relocate at their own expense.

Last July, the Jamaican health ministry said it was unable to fill more than 1,300 nursing posts.