A pair of Bermudian nursing students studying mental health have won $40,000 scholarships from the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Waleed Lightbourne and Janai Caldwell are the first two students to win the two-year scholarship, funded through donations the Bermuda Hospital’s Charitable Trust.

While both students have already completed the two-year Bermuda College Associate’s Degree in Nursing, the scholarship will help them attend Northampton University to complete their Bachelor’s Nursing Degree in Mental Health.

Mr Lightbourne was the first Bermudian male to graduate from the Bermuda College’s nursing programme, and is working in the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital through the BHB’s nurse internship programme.

Ms Caldwell is a community support worker in the learning disability department at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

Scott Pearman, BHB CEO, said he was proud to see the first two recipients named.

“Our mental health services need Bermudian nurses for the stability and future leadership of on-island services,” he said.

“the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute will see many of their senior nursing staff retire over the next five years, so we are greatly encouraged to see the next generation start their training.”

Judy Richardson, chief of nursing at BHB, congratulated the scholarship winners saying: “I’m always excited to see new nurses qualify and it is especially pleasing to see two talented and committed Bermudians choose a nursing pathway in mental health.

“It is a highly fulfilling professional career to choose, with opportunities, if wanted, to advance through different areas and eventually move into higher levels of management.

“I look forward to seeing them return home after training.”