The Cabinet applauds the nurses who have consulted with the University of the West Indies – Five Islands Campus (UWI-FI) and who made a compelling case for improved certification of practical nurses, by seeking to earn Master Degrees in their discipline. Following consultations, the University agreed to expand its nursing program by offering the higher degree, thereby allowing the nurses to improve the delivery of healthcare and to enhance their earning capacity, on full scholarship. Nurses who attain degrees of Master of Science can be considered a certified Midwife, for example. This step meets the government’s expectations to become qualified at all levels in order to strengthen the quality of healthcare delivery in Antigua and Barbuda. Nurses previously were required to study abroad which would cause them to be away from their families; it often proved an impediment.