Parties during the virtual signing ceremony.
CAY HILL--National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA), American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine and Chamberlain University on Monday virtually signed a Scope Of Service (SOS) agreement for the development of a nursing programme at NIPA.
Chamberlain University is said to be the largest nursing school in the United States. The SOS would see AUC and Chamberlain University partner with NIPA to develop an Associate Degree in Nursing programme in St. Maarten, and with that solidifying NIPA’s School of Nursing.
The signing will also ensure the release of the curriculum, lesson plans and course outlines which are standard requirements for the Chamberlain University Associate Degree in Nursing programme. The release of the curriculum will set the framework for what persons will need when applying to the NIPA School of Nursing in January 2021, NIPA said in a press release on Monday.
The three entities had signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) in November 2019 and the SOS is the culmination of the MOU.
“The NIPA Supervisory Board of Directors are very pleased that despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the entire world, that AUC and Chamberlain University saw it fit to continue to work on the SOS-agreement signing on June 15,” Chairperson of NIPA’s Supervisory Board Peggy-Ann Dros-Richardson said.
“We recognise as a supervisory board of directors [that – Ed.] there need to be a boost in the public-health entities in St. Maarten as well as in the region in order for us to address continuous public-health threats on a global scale. There is no other way to achieve that outside of properly equipping our people to take on these jobs. Chamberlain University has rightfully positioned itself as the key provider in this, as it has given us the curriculum in nursing.
“We went with Chamberlain University to make it easier for those graduating from NIPA with an Associate Degree in Nursing to matriculate to a Bachelor in Nursing degree at Chamberlain or any other accredited institution of choice. Now that we have signed, we will be able to publicise the cost as well as the requirements for the nursing programme as early as July,” she added.
NIPA urges persons to follow NIPA’s official Facebook page for information on admission requirements, tuition costs and other aspects of the Associate Degree in Nursing programme.
“As the current global health situation continues to unfold, the continued shortage and need for nurses has never been greater and there must be greater access provided for new healthcare professionals to fill this void,” Chamberlain University Provost Dr. Carla D. Sanderson said.
“The preparation of highly qualified healthcare professionals is critically important at this time, and we are pleased to be able to partner with our Adtalem [Global Education] colleagues at AUC and NIPA for this unique opportunity to have a transformative impact on the health of the people in St. Maarten.”
“AUC has a long-standing commitment to improving the health and well-being of the St. Maarten community,” said AUC Provost Heidi Chumley. “Skilled nursing is a critical part of any healthcare workforce and this programme will have a profound and long-lasting impact on the people of St. Maarten and the broader Caribbean region. We value our partnership with NIPA and Chamberlain University and look forward to lending our support to this historic nursing programme,” she added.
Representing NIPA at the signing were Dros-Richardson, Denicio Richardson of NIPA’s Supervisory Board of Directors, and Sergio Blomont and Damali Bryson from NIPA’s management. Chumley represented AUC and Sanderson represented Chamberlain University.
