STUDENTS interested in taking a degree in the Isle of Man now have four new options to choose from.
The Department of Health has announced that it will introduce four degree programmes, endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, in collaboration with the University of Chester.
This brings the total number of higher education awards within the Departments of Health and Social Care to seven.
The new degrees, which will be delivered by health professionals at the education and training centre Keyll Daree, are:
• BSc (Hons) Specialist Community Public Health Nurse
• MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nurse
• BSc (Hons) Specialist Practice Community (District Nursing / Nursing in the Home)
• MSc Specialist Practice Community (District Nursing / Nursing in the Home)
Health Minister David Anderson MHK said: "These programmes are an excellent addition to the higher education offerings from the department and will do much to maintain and enhance professional standards of care whilst enabling students to study on-Island rather than having to make the journey to the UK or further afield.
"The UK Government has committed to educating over 4,200 extra health visitors by 2015 following the launch of the Health Visitors Implementation Plan. Providing these courses on-Island ensures that we're able to develop local talent and retain those people and their new advanced skills."
Dr Jacqueline Yates, head of learning development at the Department of Health, said: "Our programmes to date have been a tremendous success with around 150 people enrolled and undertaking study.
"So far five students have been identified to take the new routes - one on the health visitor route, two on school nursing and two on district nursing. This may seem a small number but the whole point about this programme is that it provides us with the flexibility to develop small numbers of staff to meet organisational needs using a combination of distance learning and study with others who are on different routes.
"The courses are also sufficiently flexible for others to start at different dates and pursue programmes to individually-agreed timescales.
"The new programmes will complement the department's work to enhance nursing provision in the community. Much of the study on these programmes will be through distance learning with specialist modules through supported independent study and we have been able to combine this with face to face provision for larger numbers of students."
If you are interested in applying for any of the new degree programmes contact John Struthers, nursing and higher education manager, on 01624 642931.
