Nurses comprise the largest component of most healthcare environments. However, there is evidence of international shortages of qualified nurses. Many nurses provide care within the ordering scope of physicians, and this traditional role has shaped the public image of nurses as care providers. Are you considering become a nurse by going to nursing school in the Caribbean? Are you looking for a course of study sprinkled with adventure and prospects? A nursing school that gives you different responsibilities, challenges and advancements? Read to find out more.
Is going to a Nursing School worth it?
Nursing is all about doing your utmost to provide the best possible care for your patients, whatever their illness or problem. There aren’t many jobs where you can go home at the end of the day knowing you’ve made a real difference to people’s lives. Below are the few reasons to check out, then determine for yourself if going to a nursing school is worth it.
By going to a nursing school in the Caribbean, it is already certain that upon graduating, you would have the freedom to work anywhere. Unlike some professions, where you have to work either in the capital or a major city to progress your career, nursing allows you to work anywhere in the country, giving you freedom and flexibility over where you live and how you live your life.By going to a nursing school in the Caribbean, you’re already a specialist in the medical field. A lot of people don’t know that when you do your nursing degree you usually specialize in what is known as ‘field’ of nursing. You would become a specialist in any field of nursing which you have chosen to specialize in. This gives you an edge over most medical care practitioners.In attending a nursing school, it is already certified that you won’t have to spend three years in the University Library. Nursing degrees are really hands on and mix academic work with real life hands on experience. Typically, whichever type of nursing degree you study, you will spend about half your time on different types of placements, including hospital and community based, allowing you to work with different types of patients and discover what sort of nursing you prefer.There’s flexibility and variety in going to a nursing school. Many people assume that nurses just work in hospitals but actually there a huge variety of different places you can work in and different career paths open to you. You can go into teaching, management, forensic nursing, prison nursing and many more.You should also know that when you go to a nursing school in the Caribbean, you would be highly respected.No day is ever the same when you are a nurse. As a degree-trained medical expert you’ll play a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of patients.In going to nursing school in the Caribbean, you would become a life saver whose work touches lives at times of basic human need when care and compassion are what matter most.In a nursing school in the Caribbean, you would be taught to act as leaders, careers and clinicians, increasingly taking on senior positions of responsibility to progress patient care in line with the latest medical innovations and advancements.
What should I consider before going to a Nursing School in the Caribbean?
Here are some factors you should consider when deciding if you really want to attend nursing school in the Caribbean.
- Would you be a competitive applicant at that school? This is one of the most important things to consider when considering if you really want to attend nursing school in the Caribbean. It is common practice to look at the median GPA and MCAT of the matriculants of the school you want to apply to and see how you compare to them.
- Where would you want to live? You should consider where you would live during the course of your study in the nursing school. Four years may not be that long but it is still a significant amount of time. Where you live can play a big factor on your quality of life and happiness.
- Financial considerations. Nursing school is very expensive. If you don’t get any financial aid, you may be in a lot of debt when you graduate. Therefore, the price of the school’s tuition and the cost of living is very important. Ensure that it is well within your budget and means before you apply.
- How do you learn best? Although there is a national standard that all nursing schools near to adhere to, every school teaches differently. Look at each school’s curriculum and see how they teach. Some schools may emphasize small group learning. Other schools may be more focused on lectures. There are differences in the quality of facilities that may affect your education. If you know how you learn best, it is good to apply to schools that play to your strengths.
- What is the school’s grading system? Ensure you know the grading system of the school you are applying for. This would give you an edge over others.
- What is the school’s vision and mission? Schools generally have similar vision and mission statements. Nevertheless, there are subtle differences between each school that may make a difference. Carefully read what each school is about and see if they resonate with you.
What does it cost to attend Nursing School in Caribbean?
The average tuition rate for nursing schools in the Caribbean is about $4,000. – per academic semester, full-time BSN-level program. However, you would also be required to pay- Administrative Fees: which consists-
Application Fee (one-time fee, non-refundable), $100;Uniform (2 polo-shirts and 2 pairs of scrubs) and basic Nurse Kit $200;Health and Liability Insurance (group insurance, per year, estimated), $500;Immigration Processing Fee (average, non-refundable, government entrance fee) $750;Student Services Fee ($50.- per academic semester) $150;Registration Fee (yearly fee, non-refundable) $150.
Requirements for enrolling in a Nursing School in the Caribbean
When applying to a study, there’s a list of your documents you’re meant to have in handy. Some of these documents are your-
Official transcript of records (grade list)GPA scoresA resume with relevant experience in the field of NursingLetters of recommendation from past teachers or employersA letter of motivation or personal essayProof that you paid the application fee
15 Best Nursing Schools in the Caribbean
1. St. George’s University.
St. George’s University is located on the island of Grenada in the British West Indies. The school has been training medical practitioners in the US for over 35 years. There are a lot of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and radiographers who have graduated from this school. It is ranked as the one of the top nursing schools in the Caribbean. The University’s more than 22,000 graduates include nurses, physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. School Website
2. Ross University
The mission of Ross University is to educate and empower a truly diverse and dedicated population of students who are determined to make an undeniable impact on the communities they serve. Nurses are mostly differentiated from other health care providers by their approach to patient care, training, and scope of practice. In Ross University, you would be taught how best to care for patients as a nurse. Ross is accredited by Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). You should consider going to Ross University for a nursing school experience that’s worth it. School Website
3. American University of the Caribbean
American University of the Caribbean (AUC), was founded in 1978. It is located in the village of Cupecoy on St. Maarten. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, the mission is to train tomorrow’s physicians, whose service to their communities and imbibe in nurses the best ways to care for their patients. The school has accreditation from the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine earns additional approvals from respected agencies and organizations around the world. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine is committed to providing medical students with information to help them fund their education through student loan programs and medical school financial aid. School Website
4. American University of St Vincent
American University of St. Vincent teaches you how best to be a specialist in the field of nursing. The tutors here are professionals who are already in the industry and pay attention to detail. At this university, the nursing theory is strongly against teaching just theoretical aspects. On hands trainings are frequently emphasized. This school is also ranked high because it is cheap and offers quality as well. The premed tuition is $3250 per semester, basic science tuition is $3800 per semester and clinical science tuition is $8750 per semester. School website
5. John F Kennedy University
In John F. Kennedy University, you can be helped to achieve your dream of becoming the next generation of nurses. The university continues to strive in producing graduates with the utmost caliber with the primary focus of medical integrity, truth, and honor. It is finding the balance between didactic learning and personal experiences that can make you not only a better student but also a better future nurse. This university is located in curacao. School Website
6. Avalon University
The mission of Avalon University is to prepare competent physicians who can serve communities locally and around the world. On graduating from the nursing school in Avalon, through the rigorous training you have been given, would be committed to patient safety and public health while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behavior required for medical practice. This university intends to create an entirely new model of medical education, one that will enhance the university’s ability to act as a transformational agent in health care. The unique approach which Avalon University uses to train nurses embraces cross-disciplinary teaching modalities, breakthrough technologies, and innovative ways to advance training in both basic science and clinical skills throughout the nursing school curriculum. School website
7. Windsor University
Windsor University offers quality medical education, diverse clinical experience, state-of-the-art learning tools, optimal learning environment and digital classrooms. Graduating from the nursing school in Windsor gets you ready for the challenges of life out there. It gives you a specialty in nursing and you would definitely graduate with skills those in other nursing schools do not have. School Website
8. American University of the Caribbean (AUC)
In American University of the Caribbean, the mission is to train tomorrow’s physicians, whose service to their communities and their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement. The university has accreditation from the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine has a high tuition rate and as such, is committed to providing nursing students in nursing schools with information to help them fund their education through student loan programs and medical school financial aid. School Website
9. Saba University
Saba University makes its home on the island of Saba. It has been producing North American nurses since 1989. Saba University School of Medicine is one of the world’s leading international medical schools, with nearly a 30-year history of educating outstanding physicians. They have a reputation of pushing the world’s best nurses. If you are thinking of a really good nursing school to attend with good climate and beautiful hangout spots, you should consider Saba University. School Website 10. Medical University of the Americas (MUA) – At MUA, in maintaining the prestige they have as being one of the best pharmacy schools in the Caribbean, they ensured to combine a systems-based U.S. curriculum with the time-tested belief that students learn best in small classes, where they can interact one-on-one with their professors. Those small classes also help create the strong feeling of community and collaboration; it also ensures that the students follow up with everything that’s being taught and everyone gets carried along. MUA is able to offer a level of oversight and guidance that simply isn’t possible at bigger schools and it’s a key reason why graduates achieve top residencies. It is one of the best nursing schools in the Caribbean. School Website
11. Trinity University
Trinity University, is a highly accredited, international medical school for all medical practitioners located on the beautiful island of St. Vincent. Trinity holds itself to a special responsibility to train highly skilled physicians and to instill in them a passion and dedication to the health and welfare of the communities they will serve. Going to a nursing school in Trinity university gives you the opportunity to learn in settings they wouldn’t have access to elsewhere. This is a rigorous Caribbean nursing for students who value personal attention and faculty support within a smaller, focused learning environment. InWebsite
12. Aureus University
Situated in the capital of Aruba, Aureus strives to produce broadly educated graduates who recognize the responsibilities incumbent upon practitioners of their noble profession. Aureus University nursing school is bent on preparing students to become efficient, exemplary and ethical nurses. At Aureus, students who demonstrate a strong desire to succeed, coupled with an understanding of the compassionate and humanitarian aspects of the practice of medicine are looked out for. They offer affordable tuition, a safe and clean environment, smaller classes and a dedicated and highly experienced faculty. Providing students with a first-rate, affordable nursing school education is the mission at Aureus University. School website
13. University Of the Commonwealth Caribbean
The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean is among our top Caribbean schools. Located in Kingston, Jamaica, the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean was formed in 2002 after the Institute of Management Sciences was merged with the older Institute of Management & Production. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Savanna-La Mar, Mandeville, May Pen. University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. Research has shown that those who went to nursing school in this nursing school got employed within 3months of graduation. The school is recognized worldwide and is also accredited.
14. UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
University of the Virgin Islands is a public institution that was founded in 1962. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,587 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 518 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Ranking highly among top schools for studying nursing in the Caribbean, the University of the Virgin Islands boasts that it is located in one of the most popular vacation destinations in the entire world. Studying nursing here ensures you focus on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they can properly be monitored and get well fast School Website
15. NORTHERN CARIBBEAN UNIVERSITY
Northern Caribbean University (NCU) is a private, liberal-arts institution owned and operated by the Jamaica Union Conference (JAMU) and the Atlantic Caribbean Union Mission (ACUM) of Seventh-day Adventists, and is located in Jamaica. This university offers a number of professional, pre-professional and vocational programs in a spiritually wholesome and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. The nursing school in Northern Caribbean University is one of a kind. The class sizes are small and they focus on the skill and theoretical aspect of nursing. At the end of every school year, the exams are also done in a theoretical aspect. School Website Typically, Caribbean nursing schools have multiple start dates to accommodate incoming students, ranging anywhere from 2–3 times per year. Each school has its own calendar, with rolling start dates in January, April/May, and August/September. You need around 3.2CGPA to enroll. The mean GPA (Grade Point Average) and MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) for accepted students at Caribbean nursing schools varies greatly. A competitive applicant usually has a GPA of around 3.2 and MCAT scores of 7 or 8. This depends largely on the type of nursing you intend to study. Your training would likely include science courses so prepare your mind. No. There are no provisions for this because they strongly believe in hands-on experience. Yes. Where doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, Nurses take a nightingale pledge.
Conclusion
All nursing schools in the Caribbean are designed and committed to helping you advance your career and improve your life through education. Schools in the Caribbean are not bad. If you have an interest in going to nursing school in the Caribbean, you should pursue it.
