Work is now underway to upgrade the nursing courses at the Queen Salote Institute of Nursing and Allied Health so that nursing students could study for a degree in nursing.
The highest qualification the institute has currently offered is a diploma in nursing and it has been taught since the last eight years.
The diploma programme was academically supported and assisted by the Auckland University of Technology.
The Minister of Health Saia Piukala said they are planning to start the degree programme in the next three years.
Piukala said the move is one of the Ministry’s attempts for local nurses to meet the latest international standards in nursing.
The Minister said the degree programme means a great benefit not only for the nurses and the Ministry but for the public as well.
Last week 51 diplomats from the nursing institute were graduated with various qualifications at the Queen SÄlote Memorial Hall in Nuku’alofa.
Thirty-four nurses were graduated with Diplomas of Nursing (Level 5), six graduates were awarded with Certificates in Environmental Health and 11 graduates received their Diplomas of Pharmacy (Level 5).
