In contrast to what happened last year, the 100 or so nurses who graduated recently will be employed as casual nurses until a call for full-time employment is issued, said Health Minister Louis Deguara.

This was being done to reduce the strain on other nurses due to ever-increasing demand, Dr Deguara said, as he presented certificates to 69 enrolled nurses who have completed an 18-month conversion course to qualify as staff nurses.

Since the introduction of the conversion course, 241 enrolled nurses have qualified as staff nurses.

It is estimated that by the year 2012, all enrolled nurses will have been given the opportunity to follow the course.

Dr Deguara said that incentives were being offered to encourage more nurses to improve their professional status. An agreement had recently been reached between the Health Division, the Management and Personnel Office and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses on the implementation of the Continuing Professional Development scheme for midwives and nurses.

Through this scheme, the Health Division will be

entitled to give financial support to nurses and midwives who pursue their professional career through further studies.