New opportunities for nurses with signing of MOU

hirty registered Barbadian nurses will have the opportunity to pursue the Nurse Practitioner Programme at Chamberlain University – the largest school of nursing in the United States – following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday.

The MOU was signed at the Ministry of Health and Wellness by Permanent Secretary Wayne Marshall; chairperson of the Barbados Community College (BCC) Board of Management, Dr Allyson Leacock; and Director of MSN Academic Programmes/Dean of NP Education Chamberlain University, Dr Rhoda Murray.

It will pave the way for local nurses to specialise in different fields of the profession, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care, and Adult Gerontology Acute Care. The MOU launches the first-ever Nurse Practitioners Programme in Barbados, which will commence in September this year.

Marshall said: “Through our collaboration with Chamberlain University, we are embarking on a transformative journey to revolutionise the delivery of healthcare services in Barbados. This initiative aims to enhance access to comprehensive care and fortify the competence of our nursing workforce, aligning them with the evolving demands of the healthcare sector. It is through joint efforts like these, that we can achieve first-class healthcare in Barbados.”

He aded that the initiative will not only help registered nurses advance in their careers but also allow them to operate at a higher level of competency, and healthcare institutions to give quality care at a lower cost.

He said the signing of the MOU signified “the beginning of a mutually beneficial collaboration, which we are very excited about”.

“To safeguard the nation’s health, it is imperative to provide nurses with the necessary opportunities and resources. By equipping them with appropriate education and support, we facilitate the delivery of safe and effective nursing care, contributing to the overall well-being of the Barbadian population,” he said.

Dr Leacock said the BCC’s commitment to the field of nursing was clear, as it offered a suite of nursing programmes. However, she added that the MOU signing guaranteed a promising future.

She disclosed that six of the college’s nursing instructors had benefited from Chamberlain University’s Master Instruction programme, which enhances its nursing curriculum.

Dr Leacock stated that the BCC had a long-standing relationship with Adtalem Global Education, the parent company of the Chamberlain and Ross Universities, and welcomed their most recent collaboration.

“The World Health Organisation predicts a global shortage of 10 million health workers by 2030, driven by growing ageing populations, an ageing health workforce, rapid increases in chronic diseases and the limited capacity of health education programmes. A shortage of nurses makes up 50 per cent of that gap. So, for us at BCC, this partnership is therefore timely and signifies more than just an exchange of resources.

“We are committed to fostering a symbiotic relationship, where both institutions thrive. We pledge to contribute disciplined critical thinkers who are motivated and passionate about their studies, upholding the highest ethical standards,” Dr Leacock said.

Director of Caribbean Government Relations for Adtalem Global Education, Khalilah Peters, said the road leading to the signing of the MOU was a rough one, marked by delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The experience and impact of this unprecedented global health crisis further reinforced the need, drive, and commitment to achieve this significant milestone in our collaboration towards advancing healthcare education and delivery in Barbados,” she emphasised.

Peters further noted that as the “number one” grantor of nursing degrees in the US, and a leading provider of healthcare education, Adtalem was uniquely positioned to expand access to high-quality academic programmes and to address the workforce shortage, both nationally and globally.

(BGIS/BT)