First Cohort Graduates From Trainee Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Training Initiative

The inaugural graduation ceremony for the Trainee Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Programme (TPNA) took place on Friday, 6 June, at First Baptist Church in George Town, celebrating the accomplishments of 16 Caymanian students who completed their core training in foundational nursing and mental health care.

Developed by Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (now the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability), the TPNA programme was designed to address the local shortage of mental health nursing professionals.

PRC, which now sits under the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability is a tertiary care, residential mental health facility dedicated to serving residents of the Cayman Islands who live with serious and persistent mental illness.

The ceremony was attended by Honourable Premier Andre Ebanks, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, and Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability.

The Premier Honourable André Ebanks, noted, “Today we have made a significant step toward the achievement of our vision for Cayman - a vision to bridge a critical gap in our local expertise and at the same time to cultivate meaningful employment opportunities for our Caymanian people. I have always been quite unequivocal that my government will prioritise employment opportunities for Caymanians. This programme is a shining example of that principle in action. It demonstrates that by investing in our own people, by providing them with the specialised training and opportunities they deserve, we can build a more self-sufficient and resilient Cayman Islands.”

Minister Ebanks-Wilks congratulated the graduates, saying: “Today is a celebration of your hard work, your dedication, and your compassion. You have chosen a path that requires not only skills and knowledge, but patience, empathy, and strength of heart. And for that, I say thank you.” She continued: “The Trainee Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Programme is more than a training initiative. It is a cornerstone of our vision to ensure Caymanians are equipped to take care of Caymanians, no matter the challenges they face, and no matter the complexity of their health needs.”

The TPNA Programme officially launched in October 2024.  The 16 graduates completed the first phase of training - a five-month foundational course in nursing and mental health care. The second phase consists of 24 months practical training, enabling graduates to gain the experience required for sustainable employment. The programme serves as a starting point for Caymanians and Permanent Residents with an interest in mental health services. Its long-term view is to create pathways for locally trained Psychiatric Nursing Assistants who will be able to deliver services at mental health centres such as PRC.

Marcia Mullings-Thompson, Director of Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre, noted: “The Trainee Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Programme has been instrumental in training and equipping young Caymanians with the necessary skills and qualifications to support Poinciana’s operations. We are very proud of this first cohort of graduates, who have performed so well in this inaugural programme. We look forward to their valuable contributions, as they continue with their practical training that will arm them with the experience needed for long-term, sustainable employment in the healthcare sector.”

The event also featured special awards for nine graduates who were acknowledged for their notable performance in the training:

• Most Improved – Alyssa Gordon

• Most Innovative – Adam Ebanks and Lucas Kelehar

• Excellence in Fundamentals of Nursing – Melicia Ramos and Adam Ebanks

• Excellence in Psychiatry – Melicia Ramos, Catherine Bodden, Chloe Simms, and Chanel Ebanks 

All the graduates have now transitioned to the practical 24-months placement, where they will continue to receive a salary while gaining hands on experience. They will be eligible to apply for permanent positions at PRC on successful completion of their placement.

Adding her congratulations to the graduates, Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks noted: “This cohort has helped to forge a path that will help to shape our local healthcare landscape for generations to come.  By training psychiatric nursing assistants right here at home, we are addressing a critical area of need and planting seeds to strengthen and heal our communities in the future. These graduates represent our commitment to improving mental healthcare services by building systems of care that are rooted in dignity, equity, and resilience – and that is sustainability in action. Today, as we honour their commitment, we recommit ourselves to a Cayman where nobody’s wellbeing is left behind. Congratulations, graduates, on your achievement and thank you for choosing this path.”