Information Session: College Nursing Program
The Department of Workforce Development – in conjunction with the Bermuda College – will host an Information Session for anyone interested in enrolling in their Associate of Science in Nursing Degree [ADN].
This Information Session will take place on Thursday July 3rd from 5:30pm to 6:30 pm in room G 301 at the Bermuda College. Speakers will include the Director of Nursing Education for the College Kathy-Ann Swan and members of the Department of Workforce Development.
The session is open to anyone interested in becoming a Registered Nurse – whether that be High School graduates accompanied by their parents or adults simply interested in changing careers.
The ADN course was implemented in 2012 – designed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Bermuda College, and the Bermuda Hospital’s Board.
A spokesperson said, “The course is based on an American model of nursing education and was developed using the standards of the Accrediting Commission of Nursing Education (ACEN) (the then National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission). The ADN is a generalist approach to nursing education; meaning that the curriculum includes Medical, Surgical, Maternal/ Child, Pediatrics, Long Term Care and Psychiatric nursing education.
“Students must also commit to overseas clinical experiences for up to two weeks at Temple University Hospital and SickKids in Toronto when they are in the 2nd year.
“The Bermuda College also has a state of the art Simulation Laboratory on campus where students have an opportunity to practice their skills and build competence and confidence prior to going out ‘into the field’ to take care of patients.
“There are presently three cohorts of nursing students completing nursing courses. The first class is set to graduate in May 2015.
“The next semester for new enrollees is August 2014.
“Courses take place over a semester [14 weeks] and are offered at the Bermuda College campus. There are three semesters throughout the year – fall, spring and summer – and students can enroll on either a part-time or full-time basis, with the nursing courses being completed in as little as two years – depending on each student’s schedule.
“Students entering this program must complete the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) which assesses proficiency in English and Mathematics. Prior to starting the nursing courses, students must submit the following:
- Annual drug screening results [hair follicles]
- Current Immunization Record
- Police Vetting Report
“In May 2012, an MOU was established between the Bermuda College and the Department of Workforce Development [the then ‘Department of Labour and Training’] to offer a Retraining Scholarships Fund in an effort to provide training opportunities for Bermudians in areas traditionally filled by significant numbers of non-Bermudians [for example, accounting, nursing and teaching].
“An estimated $700,000 has been provided to date to support further educational opportunities for Bermudians, which includes this ADN program.”
“Successful students of the ADN program will be prepared to work in health care agencies such as long term care centers, hospitals, rehabilitation care facilities, clinics, adult day care centers, and physician offices,” explained the Director of Nursing Education for the Bermuda College Kathy-Ann Swan.
“Upon successful completion, graduates will be competitively equipped with the knowledge and competencies to function as a professional nurse, and have the ability to apply for licensure through examination.”
Students interested in participating can apply for funding through the Department of Workforce Development and their applications will be individually assessed.
There are currently 490 ‘Registered Nurses’ in Bermuda – of which 137 or [27%] are Bermudians and 304 or [62%] are Non-Bermudians and 49 are either spouses of a Bermudian or a PRC.
“Bermuda, like other jurisdictions, is experiencing the impact of the nursing shortage,” said Director of Workforce Development George Outerbridge. “However, Bermuda has made a commendable start to the global challenge by addressing it as a national issue through the creation of programs such as these.
“It was critical that we made nursing education more accessible to Bermudian residents, recognizing that not everyone could leave the island for long periods of time, which is why the ADN course is structured the way it is – mindful of people’s travel restrictions.”
For more information contact: The Director of Nursing Education at 239 4071 or kswan@college.bm
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