The Ministry of Health is in the process of finalising an agreement with a US college to allow aspiring nurses to study on-Island.

Health Minister Walter Roban said his Ministry is committed to establishing a nursing programme in Bermuda that will qualify students to take the board registration exam or the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Mr. Roban told the House of Assembly: "I am pleased to report that we are in the process of finalising an articulation agreement with Southern Vermont College, an accredited college which already has in place a similar nursing preregistration education pathway.

"Representatives for the key stakeholders in nursing team recently returned from Southern Vermont College, touring the college and their affiliated clinical sites. The representatives state that it is a good fit for Bermuda, as SVC has a high success rate, provides high quality training, has well-established clinical sites which are highly regarded and an excellent student-to-faculty member ratio. In addition, SVC is on the East Coast making travel easy."

The Minister said the nursing education pathway plan will take students through prerequisite courses for preparation.

"After two years, students will be able to achieve an Associate of Science in Nursing and sit the NCLEX which is the internationally recognised registration examination that all nurses are required to pass. Nurses can then choose to enter the profession and continue their nursing education to pursue the Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. They may also continue on and obtain a master's degree."

Mr. Roban added the programme would be extensive and comprehensive including didactic training, simulation laboratory exercises and clinical experience both in Bermuda and Vermont.

Students who complete the prerequisite course by December have the option to go to SVC before the programme officially starts in Bermuda.

There are 125 students in the foundation courses programme at Bermuda College.