Matthew Vella
The social policy ministry yesterday embarked on a recruitment offensive for prospective nurses at the Mater Dei hospital foyer.
Prospective students interested in a nursing career were given information at a new stand inside the general hospital, which will be up until Sunday 19 July, during the hospital main visiting hours.
The stand will be manned daily between 3pm and 6pm and on Sunday morning between 10am and 12 noon.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Joseph Cassar said he is hoping that the nursing course will produce 240 nurses by 2012.
However, the course remains limited to some 140 students a year. According to report forecasting Malta’s nursing needs, the health system may require a 1,000 new nurses by 2013.
Cassar yesterday visited the stand, where he highlighted the specific characteristics nowadays associated with healthcare professions. He said nursing offered “vast opportunities” in international networking, providing overseas experiences to both students and qualified staff across the professions; the extensive opportunities for both career and academic progression for qualified staff; the diversity of roles; and job security complementing.
Cassar reiterated that such characteristics augured well to favourable interest in the new government campaign.
Dr Sandra Buttigieg, Director Institute of Health Care, said that a career in the health sector provided opportunities to work in different settings, from acute care to long-term care, research, education, management and policy development.
“A caring profession offers much job satisfaction since one will be responsible for the direct care of the patient or client. The opportunities for young people to join the Health Profession are ever increasing. A career in this area helps them become an integral part of a global caring network.”
The Institute of Health Care offers studies in 12 different areas, however it is the nursing and midwifery divisions that attract the largest numbers of students. This year, IHC marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of Nursing and Midwifery Studies within the curriculum of the University of Malta.
Over the past 20 years, over 1,500 nurses and midwives have completed a course of studies within the IHC, with nearly 400 obtaining an undergraduate degree and 28 a postgraduate degree.
A total of nine different programmes of studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate level are currently offered, including a diploma in nursing, Bachelor’s programmes in general nursing and midwifery, mental health nursing, community nursing and a Masters programme in nursing/midwifery studies. Prospects for employment for undergraduate and postgraduate students have been remarkable in both the public and private sector, locally and overseas.
An integral part of the Institute is the development of research for staff and students. Enrolment in postgraduate, Masters and Doctoral programmes is widespread amongst members of staff and students. IHC has also forged close links with international universities, particularly in Europe, and members of staff and students regularly participate in Erasmus exchange initiatives.
As from October 2009, all diploma and degree programmes in nursing will run over a three-year period, congruent with trends in the development of nurse education worldwide.
Further information can be obtained by email on sas@um.edu.mt or ihc@um.edu.mt.
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