Toronto Attachments For Local Nursing Students

Bermuda College announced an Memorandum of Understanding with The Hospital for Sick Children [SickKids], the academic teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto in Canada.

The MOU will be effective for three years, and identifies “learning attachments” for students in the Bermuda College Associate of Science [Nursing] programme to participate in observation experiences at the Toronto facility for two weeks at a time.

SickKids, known for its innovation in child health care, seeks to improve child health by integrating care, research and teaching in its programmes. Last year the health care facility was listed as one of Canada’s top 100 employers and among the nation’s top 40 research hospitals.

The Nursing Education Pathway at Bermuda College is less than a year old, and has already distinguished itself as a trendsetter in modern day healthcare education. From its foundational nursing pre-requisite course to the two-year Associate Degree programme, graduates are able to culminate their classroom and practical experiences by writing the National Council Licensure Examination, enabling successful graduates to practice as Registered Nurses [RNs].

Students are also privileged to enjoy an enviable blend of clinical experience locally – in the state-of-the-art simulation lab onsite at the College – and overseas, with internships at prestigious institutions such as SickKids.

“When we developed the Associate of Science in Nursing degree we wanted to ensure that our students were not only exposed to the two local hospitals but also international hospitals, “ said Bermuda College President, Dr. Duranda Greene.

“ This partnership with SickKids provides the international component to our nursing programme and affords our students the opportunity to observe the workings of hospitals outside of Bermuda. Partnerships with prestigious partners such as SickKids is just one other benefit from Bermuda College’s accreditation success and another way that Bermuda College is fulfilling its mission of setting its students on their paths to success.”

SickKids researchers and clinicians work closely together on key child health issues in integrated teams. Bermuda College nursing students will become part of “learning attachments”, and through the International Learning programme, will be able to observe a broad range of paediatric subspecialties, and learn the complexities of specialised areas such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, brain and bone health, cardiac care, pain management, genetic medicine and transplants.

Director of International Education, Lara Pietrolungo stated, “On behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children, we are extremely proud to have forged this partnership with Bermuda College. Our mutual goal is to enhance the paediatric learning opportunities of future Bermudian nurses, through our International Learner Program™. Bermuda is a long-time friend of SickKids, and we are honoured to continue this relationship to support its capacity building efforts in improving healthcare delivery for children and their families.”

Chief of Nursing, Quality & Risk at the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Judy Richardson, said, “It is great news to see this agreement signed, enabling Bermudian trainee nurses to have access to such a prestigious hospital. The experience of observing at SickKids will give the individuals concerned a wonderful learning opportunity and this will hopefully help them succeed in their studies and bring what they have learnt to caring for patients here in Bermuda.”

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