Numerus clausus in nursing studies

With reference to the commentary on the University page last Sunday, entitled 'Nursing wounds', I feel the need to clarify the statement that unions supported the request for numerus clausus for nursing studies to avoid having an over-supply of nurses, and thus compromising the unions' bargaining power.

This statement is unfounded as the reasons for adopting the numerus clausus for the nursing diploma were to encourage students to read nursing, and the lack of resources.

The main intention of the union, which I represented and led at the time, was to encourage young Maltese to pursue degree-level courses in nursing so as to improve our standards of care and raise the standards of the profession.

This is why the union also agreed with the Director Nursing Services to start courses in order to upgrade the existing second level nurses to first level (SRN). The ultimate intention was and still is to deliver the best care to our patients.

The shortage problems are there and were there even when the Health authorities tried to give a different impression. Remedies such as recruiting foreign nurses are acceptable as long as these nurses enjoy the same educational and professional standards as the ones qualifying from our Institute of Health Care.