70 nursing scholarships to RCSI Bahrain available

Bahrain's high school seniors with the dream of perusing a nursing career are eligible to apply for a scholarship to RCSI Bahrain. Thanks to the generosity of Tamkeen and the Palm Association, a local charity committed to supporting less fortunate Bahraini families, there is a total of seventy School of Nursing and Midwifery scholarships available.

Through the full sponsorship of the cost of study by Tamkeen and the Palm Association, Bahraini students who may not have thought it possible are now able to peruse a career in healthcare.

The President of RCSI Bahrain, professor Kevin O'Malley commented,

"Applicants for the nursing scholarship are chosen on the basis of the criteria set down by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The criteria are high academic achievement, an 80% pass rate for the School of Nursing and a 90% pass rate for the School of Medicine, integrity of character, respect for others and an extensive interest in the field of healthcare. These basic characteristics are directed at fulfilling RCSI's hopes that the scholars will make an effective and positive contribution throughout the healthcare industry, not only here in Bahrain but across the world."

Opened in 2004, RCSI Bahrain is a not-for-profit University whose role is to provide healthcare education and training to international standards for students from Bahrain, other GCC countries and beyond.

Accredited by the Higher Education Council in Bahrain and the GCC Medical Schools Deans' Committee in February 2006, RCSI Bahrain has continued to grow its curriculum and now offers additional healthcare programmes including the regions first Masters in Nursing programme which was launched in early May 2009.

Scholarships to RCSI Bahrain are offered to all Bahraini high school seniors who fulfil a set criterion. Those students wishing to practise nursing may apply now for the School of Nursing and Midwifery programme. This four year course is broken down into 8 semesters. Upon registration, students are given a laptop and access to the University's interactive web server.

After completion of the first semester, students are presented with their white nurse's uniform and will undertake clinical practice in the healthcare facilities of the Ministry of Health and the Bahrain Defense Forces Hospital, allowing for early interaction with patients and other healthcare professionals.

Students are also offered the opportunity to take part in the University's interchange programme which allows them to travel to and study at RCSI Dublin for a period of time.

All nursing courses run by RCSI Bahrain abide by the standards of Bahrain's Higher Education Council, the GCC Deans Committee and Ireland and Europe's nursing education standards. The University is also listed in the WHO directory. On completion of the School of Nursing and Midwifery programme, students will receive the internationally recognised Baccalaureate of Science (BSc Hons) in Nursing Degree.