After 30 years UWI launches BSc degree in nursing

It has taken 30 years but the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing was finally launched yesterday by the University of the West Indies School of Advanced Nursing Education (SANE). President of the Nursing Council of TT Dr Jean Grayson said the nurses’ “dream” had been deferred several times, but now was finally being realised. Speaking at the launch of the degree programme at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Mt Hope, Grayson said it was the late Dr Eric Williams who announced at a conference hosted by the council in 1976 that a degree programme for nursing would be introduced at the EWMSC.

She said to the nurses’ “consternation,” they found out that a building for SANE was not even part of the plans for the EWMSC. Grayson said it took two years before construction started. She said there were “numerous ups and downs” as the proposal was written and fine tuned. Grayson said participating in the programme is a major responsibility and advised them to work hard to ensure success of the programme. Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Phyllis Pitt-Miller said in 1976 the Faculty Steering Committee on Expanded Medicine in TT, had recommended the establishment of four schools at EWMSC: medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and advanced nursing. However, due to “financial constraints” only three schools were opened in 1989.

Pitt-Miller said the opening of the fourth school — SANE, was a fulfilment of the FAST report. It also coincides with the Faculty of Medicine’s 15th anniversary. She described the programme being offered by SANE as “flexible and sound” and said it compared favourably with the UK, Canada and US. The course content was “carefully scrutinised” by UWI’s Board for undergraduate studies and there was input from the School of Nursing in Mona, Jamaica. SANE will also be providing post graduate and graduate training. The Bachelor of Science Nursing programme will begin on Monday with 30 students.  Pitt-Miller said along with the other undergraduate students already at the school, the total first year group will be 308.