Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) Nursing department has collaborated with Ministry of Education and Commission for Academic Accreditation to recruit graduating nurses who completed their fundamental graduation requirements, enabling them to join as first line defenders for COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in the recruitment of 35 & in process of recruiting 45 of the graduate Emirati nurses. Moreover, the collaboration included reviewing the current academic achievement for all courses attended by year two and above nursing students with the aim of accelerating their joining to the field under clinical supervision of qualified nurses. This represents one of a time opportunity to build the clinical skills and competencies of young nurses-to-be in such extraordinary circumstances and equip them to be able to serve the country at any time including health crises. Dr. Sumaya Mohammed Al Blooshi- Director of Nursing, MOHAP- has expressed the deepest gratuities for the collaboration and cooperation of Ministry of Education and Commission for Academic Accreditation and their commitment to serve the country and its first line of defence.
Additionally, MOHAP nursing department has conducted virtual meeting with representatives from local universities to discuss the nursing students’ situation as first line defenders along with the strategic steps required to support them. Those included structured training on basics of infection control and prevention plus the use of personal protective equipment. Also, the discussion included provision of psychological support and remote counselling services to the students on the field.
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Health and prevention, and within the initiative to enhance the attractiveness of the nursing profession, provides scholarships for high school students, citizens of both sexes, to study the Bachelor of Nursing within the state and sponsor tuition and housing fees and commitment to provide a vacancy for immediate appointment after graduation