Message from the Head of School

Apr 22, 2014

Head's Message

It is with great pleasure that I bring greetings to the UWISON family and well wishers in the region and indeed, across the world. The UWI School of Nursing, Mona has had to contend with many changes and challenges in the past academic year as we adjust to the changing social and economic climate nationally and regionally.  These variables have created opportunities for innovation and expansion of our strategic goals objectives.  Additionally, they have strengthened our resolve to retain leadership in the delivery of cutting edge nursing education and training at undergraduate and graduate levels.


At present the school is organized along three streams, each with a senior coordinator to provide the necessary leadership and administrative direction. Let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the areas of prime focus for the UWI School of Nursing, Mona. We continue to develop our Undergraduate programme and have since 2011 introduced a four year academic structure to facilitate this section of the School. With this adjustment to our primary academic programme offering, we foresee a myriad of opportunities for our undergraduate students; including student exchange, employment and periods of rejuvenation you both staff and students.


We are strengthening our relations with other prestigious international nursing schools so that students can use their summers to obtain a wider educational experience. The extension of the programme will also facilitate students to meet any additional course offering that will help advance their personal agendas. The UWI School of Nursing, Mona is also actively moving towards increasing our undergraduate course offering to include programmes in midwifery, critical care and among others.


The school is actively planning and developing new and innovative approaches to our online programming. At present we provide educational opportunities in nursing education to approximately 18 territories in the Caribbean Region through this portal. These programme offerings are slated to increase in the near future as we introduce a blended approach to delivering the Master in Nursing Education.  This initiative capitalizes on existing technologies to provide flexible and convenient access to advanced nursing education.


Our graduate section of the UWI School of Nursing, Mona is performing consistently above expected standards and we are pleased to note that the PhD programme, recently introduced, is significantly contributing to increasing the scope for development of nursing expertise; thereby contributing to a highly qualified nursing workforce and enhancing clinical competency and patient care.


We continue to enjoy good relations with our international partners and receive their students as part of our exchange relationships. We are very pleased with these relationships as they afford us the opportunity to expose both faculty and students to new and innovative ideas. We will be strengthening these relationships and developing new ones in the near future. We have been strengthening collaborations with nursing/clinical service area and we are committed to working with our clinical partners to close the theory practice gap.


The UWI School of Nursing, Mona has had many positive developments for the past year but we also have received some very sad news. We regret to announce the passing of Dr. The Honorable Mary Jane Seivwright in the early part of January 2014. She had been one of the past Directors of The UWI School of Nursing, Mona (formerly Advanced Nursing Education Unit). Dr. Sevwright was an Icon in nursing and a visionary par excellence, who can claim the legacy of transforming nursing education in the region through her leadership and drive for excellence. A woman of her stature cannot be replaced and so we grieve with her family.


Finally let me say that the UWI School of Nursing, Mona and its team accepts its mandate to elevate nursing and nurses through education and leadership. We also recognize that this will need input from our stake holders as we realign our programmes to meet national and regional needs.


Thank you.
Steve Weaver