What exactly is Nursing?

Nursing is a service which provides preventive, promotional, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative care to individuals, families and communities with actual and/or potential health problems. It also involves assisting the individual towards a peaceful death and providing emotional support for the family at this time.

Within the health care system nursing has dependent, independent and interdependent functions in meeting the needs of individuals and families in the community. Nursing as a profession must be dynamic in order to cope with the changing health needs of society.

 

The School of Nursing provides 2 types of Programmes (Basic Level)

• General Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing

General Nursing
The programme of training will provide the Nursing Student with a range of theoretical and practical experiences designed to develop clinical competencies in the management and delivery of nursing care of patients in primary, secondary, tertiary health care settings. These experiences cover those aspects of the syllabus for Certification as a Registered Nurse.

Psychiatric Nursing
The programme of training will provide the Nursing Student with a range of theoretical and practical experiences designed to develop clinical competencies in the management and delivery of nursing care for patients in Psychiatric/Mental Health settings. These experiences cover those aspects of the syllabus for Certification as a Registered Mental Nurse.

The duration for both programmes is 3 years.

School of Midwifery
The School of Midwifery is a post graduate programme tha is open to  registerd nurses after 3 to 5 years of experience. This programme prepares nurses in the field of neonatal, pre-pregnancy and care of the pregnant mother. 

 

Training Location

Training is Available at the Following Agencies:

Criteria For Nursing Training In Trinidad and Tobago

1. Admission Requirements
   
   Candidates must be Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 17 and 45 years
   
    

2. Academic Qualification
   
   Five (5) subjects at Ordinary Level G.C.E/C.X.C. General Proficiency Grades 1,11 and 111 (from 1998 onwards) inclusive of English Language and a subject which shows proficiency in Mathematics (such as Mathematics or Principles of Accounts). A Science subject (Human and Social Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Integrated Science, etc.) would be considered an asset.
   
    

3. Nursing Permit
   A nursing permit from the Nursing Council must be obtained.  To obtain a Nursing Permit from the Nursing Council: -

   1. Applicants must have five (5) Subjects
      Passes, viz: -

      1. G.C.E. - Grades A, B, OR C;

      2. C.X.C. - Grades I or II, III accepted only from June 1998 General Proficiency
          

   2. Original C.X.C/G.C.E, Certificates, plus a photocopy of each (preliminary results slip will only be accepted from 2003);
       

   3. Original Birth Certificate plus one photocopy;
       

   4. Original Certificate of Marriage (if any), plus one photocopy;
       

   5. One (1) Passport-size photograph;
       

   6. A formal Application applying for the permit no# (which includes your address) and also includes with whom you are applying to do Nursing Programme i.e. COSTAATT/Ministry Of Health and list your subjects and grades;
       

   7. Processing Fee $100.00 (Non-Refundable).

    

4. Contractual Obligations
   The recipient of training will be required to enter into a contract to serve the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for a period not less than the duration of the period of training.
   
    

5. Stipend
   The Ministry pays a stipend to all Nursing Students for the duration of the training programme.
   
    

6. Examinations

   1. Basic Nursing Education Programmes (Ministry of Health)

      1. Examining Body - The Nursing Council of Trinidad and Tobago

      2. Types of Examination:

         • Fundamental Examination – 6th Month

         • Preliminary Practical Assessment
           Preliminary Written Examination – 12 to 14th Month
            

      3. Final Practical Assessment:
         Final Written Examination - Regional Examination For Nurse Registration (3rd year).
          

   2. College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT)
      
      Examinations:
      
      COSTAATT:
      - Continuous Assessment
      - End of Semester Exams
      
      Nursing Council:
      - Practical Assessments - Level 1,11,111
      - Regional Examinations for Nurse Registration
      
       

7. Credentials
   A. Diploma in Nursing – Ministry of Health’s Nursing Education Programme.
   B. Associate Degree in Nursing – College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT).
   
    

8. Licensure
   Nursing Council’s Registration Certificate
   
    

9. Programme Advertisement
   The Ministry of Health/Regional Health Authories and College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) to advertise training programmes prior to intake.
    

For Further Details Contact:
The Nursing Division
Ministry of Health
#63 Park Street
Port of Spain

Telephone no. 624-7052