The Public Hospitals Authority launched its first Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Diploma Program on Monday September 5th, 2016 in a brief ceremony held at the PHA‘s Corporate Offices. The program has been developed to equip registered nurses to provide advanced psychiatric mental health nursing care to clients in diverse environments. The first cohort of thirty (30) registered nurses who will take part in the year long training course has been drawn from all three PHA institutions, the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and the Rand Memorial Hospital.
Registered Nurses
According to PHA Managing Director, Herbert Brown, this is the first time specialty; post basic training in Psychiatric Nursing will be made available locally since the Ministry of Health offered a certificate program in 2007. He noted, “A decade is simply too great of an interval to wait with respect to providing our outstanding nurses an opportunity for professional development in the field of mental health nursing.” Brown added, “This approach reflects the patient centred philosophy that we are consistently building into our public health care platform.”
Mr. Herbert Brown, Managing Director PHA
PHA Nursing Services Advisor Lillian Black-Charlton headed the team developing the program. She noted that the rigorous course integrates elements of classroom instruction and practical clinical experience. The year of training will be divided into four (4) semesters lasting thirteen (13) weeks. Each semester consists of three (3) weeks of theory accompanied by nine (9) weeks of practical experiences. In the fourth semester nurses will participate in a nine (9) week internship period where all coursework will be integrated as well as knowledge and skills cemented.
Mrs. Lillian Black-Charlton, Nursing Advisor PHA
The Diploma program is expected to end on September 3rd 2017, after which successful participants will receive their accredited Diplomas in a special graduation ceremony.
Source: Bahamas Information Services
