Ministry of Health Launches Nursing Study

The Ministry of Health has launched a new research initiative dedicated to strengthening nursing in the Cayman Islands.  The initiative, spearheaded by Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Mrs. Felicia McLean, in collaboration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health Services Authority, Doctors’ Hospital, Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre, Health City Cayman Islands and the Public Health Department, aims at better understanding and addressing the barriers to career development within the nursing profession locally.

“Many will remember, from the time I was appointed to this role, that the professional development of our nurses is a key priority area that I would be focused on,” states Mrs. McLean. “I am dedicated to identifying and overcoming the challenges that are holding back nurses’ career advancement, both here in Cayman and in our region. With that goal in mind, I have partnered with key nurse leaders across our islands to develop a research tool to help us understand the root causes of the problem and possible solutions.”

The focus on career development is intentional.  “I have seen that often times people think of career development and continuing education interchangeably, and they are different. Continuing education is how nursing and other professionals maintain their skills and increase their knowledge by participating in seminars, courses, and workshops.  While continuing education is an important component of career development, career development is a more holistic, intentional approach to setting and reaching long-term career goals.  For example, career development helps staff nurses who aspire to become nurse practitioners to not only understand what is required to reach that goal, but actually plan out how to get there as part of their professional journey.”

This research initiative, being undertaken as a Delphi study, is being led by Dr. Sharon Radcliffe, Director of Nursing at HSA, and Ms. Helen Kirk, Quality Improvement Nurse at Doctors’ Hospital. Delphi is a research survey technique with four characteristic features: anonymity, iteration with controlled feedback, statistical group response, and expert input. 

For this study, there will be three short rounds of surveys, each 5-10 minutes in length. The first round will ask participants for basic demographic information along with two questions about the perceived barriers to career development and solutions to overcome these.  The participants’ feedback in the first round will inform themes that will be presented back to them in round two, where they will be asked to score each theme.  Again, the response from round two will inform the questions of round three where a priority ranking method will help to identify the most important barriers and solutions.

“Anonymity is a key component of this method, and one that we are relying on to ensure that we have the broadest level of participation across our islands,” Mrs. McLean explains. “The multiple rounds of surveys, which are informed by participants’ previous responses, will also ensure that we obtain consensus from the group on where the priorities lie.  This is a great way to ensure that our nurses are not only able to express themselves freely, but that there is buy-in for the actions that will follow, given that they determined the priority areas, both for the problem and for the possible solutions,” she adds.

The nursing study is open to all currently practicing registered nurses and registered midwives who are employed and working in the Cayman Islands.  “The survey link was sent via email by the Department of Health Regulatory Services, on behalf of the NMC.  However, if you meet the criteria and have not received the link, please reach out to Khailan.O’Connor@gov.ky so that your voice can be heard,” Mrs. McLean adds.

Participants wishing to engage in this process must complete the Round 1 survey by no later than Monday, 3 February, 2025.