Over Half of T&T Nursing Students Fail Regional Exams, Says Idi Stuart

May 14, 2025 – Trinidad and Tobago’s nursing students are facing a worrying trend—more than half are failing their regional registration exams, the worst performance in the Caribbean. President of the National Nursing Association, Idi Stuart, revealed the alarming statistic and said the system is failing future nurses. He blamed the removal of nursing hostels, cuts to student stipends, and a lack of trained educators for the high failure rate. Once supported by a monthly stipend and access to hostels near clinical sites, many nursing students now struggle with added financial burdens and limited hands-on training. Only students at COSTAATT currently receive the stipend, which Stuart says is insufficient. He’s calling on the government to reinstate support systems, improve training for nursing educators, and address deeper issues like poor pay and limited job opportunities that drive nurses away. Stuart warned that without urgent reforms, the country’s health sector could face an even greater shortage of qualified nurses.