Comment: Relaunch of Nursing Associate Degree will Benefit All

The decision by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis to relaunch the Associate Degree in Nursing at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) is not only timely, it is transformative.

Announced by Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew on International Nurses Day 2025, the return of this hospital-based programme addresses an urgent national need: ensuring the Federation has a steady pipeline of qualified nurses to support a modern, responsive healthcare system. With global health challenges on the rise and the Caribbean facing a well-documented shortage of trained healthcare professionals, this step puts St Kitts and Nevis ahead of the curve.

Importantly, this is not just a healthcare decision, it is an economic one. By shortening the path to qualification, the Associate Degree opens up career opportunities to a broader section of the population, particularly younger people who might not be able to commit to a four-year degree. That means more trained professionals entering the workforce, supporting families, and contributing to the local economy.

It is also a step forward for equity. By removing barriers to entry and creating new routes into healthcare, the government is making it easier for a new generation of nurses to rise—many of whom may go on to specialise or take up leadership roles within the system. That strengthens the healthcare sector from the ground up.

This move sits squarely within the government’s Sustainable Island State Agenda, which rightly places health and human capital at the heart of national development. Paired with the national research initiative into the state of the nursing workforce, it’s clear that this is a strategic investment based on evidence and foresight.

The relaunch of the Associate Degree in Nursing is more than a policy shift, it is a statement of intent. It says that in St Kitts and Nevis, we are building a healthcare system that is inclusive, sustainable, and prepared for the future.

This will benefit patients. It will benefit the economy. And, most of all, it will benefit the country.