UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council highlights achievements of ‘Enhancing the Attractiveness of the Nursing Profession' initiative

UAE, November 16, 2015 - The UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council successfully conducted its third board meeting for 2015 at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre in Dubai Healthcare City.

Present at the meeting were members of the council, which represent various academic institutions, organizations and authorities like the Ministry of Health, Dubai Health Authority, Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Dubai Healthcare City, University of Sharjah, Higher Colleges of Technology, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Emirates Nursing Association, Emirates Medical Association, and other health groups. 

During the meeting, the Ministry of Health highlighted the successful implementation of its ‘Enhancing the Attractiveness of the Nursing Profession’ program which offers scholarships to qualified nursing students. Under the initiative, grants have been awarded to 40 Emirati undergraduates, 19 individuals who are joining the nursing bridging programs, and five practicing nurses who are pursuing a master’s degree. 

The Council members and other attendees also expressed their support to activities and programs designed to further develop and strengthen the nursing profession and make it more attractive to Emiratis.  

Additionally, the participants reviewed the initiatives of different organizations towards the Council’s development and promotion of latest trends as well as various educational institutions’ ongoing efforts to encourage Emiratis to enroll in a Bachelor of Nursing program. About 73 female local students have enrolled at Higher Colleges of Technology, while 130 female local students entered the program at Fatima College of Health Sciences. In addition, University of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah College of Health Sciences also reported new enrollees. 

During the meeting, attendees reviewed reports presented by the council’s various committees, which included assessments made during a meeting held in June of this year. The Council’s guidelines on establishing a positive work environment has been completed and circulated to members of various scientific committees for review and feedback. The guidelines will be presented and approved in the Council’s next meeting. 

The Scientific Committee for Education contributed to the development and standardization of enrollment procedures for nursing programs in universities and colleges. The recommended procedures will be submitted to the Ministry of Health and the Council for further review. In addition, the Scientific Committee also informed the Council that it will be participating at the 6th Nursing Conference- Arab Health where it will present working papers on the committee’s standards and guidelines. 

The Council members were also briefed about the progress of the Ministry of Health’s meeting with the Academic Accreditation Committee of the Ministry of Higher Education. Both ministries are closely coordinating especially in the promotion of the nursing profession. 

The members proposed that they hold another meeting in mid-December to create a blueprint for new activities of various committees of the Council. Final drafts will be prepared and presented in the next gathering. The Council concluded its meeting with recommendations on further reinforcing the nursing profession in the country.