Specialist Nurses in Demand: Where Jamaica's Health Sector Is Hiring
Jamaica does not have a shortage of registered nurses, but it does have a shortage of specialists, and the Government is now training, recruiting and promoting to fill the gap. Critical care, oncology, nephrology, psychiatry, midwifery and neonatal care are among the areas most in need. If you work in health, or are thinking about a career in it, this is one of the clearest growth areas in Jamaica's jobs market.
"We don't have a problem with RNs"
Speaking in late October at the opening of a private healthcare facility in Portmore, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton put it simply: "We don't have a problem with RNs; we have a problem with specialists. We need to encourage the RNs to upskill to become specialist nurses," as reported by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). He named oncology, nephrology and critical-care nursing as areas with critical shortages.
In his 2026/27 sectoral presentation, the Minister said the shortages also extend to specialist doctors and allied health professionals, particularly in critical care, oncology, psychiatry, accident and emergency, and nephrology (Ministry of Health and Wellness). The Jamaica Observer listed a longer set of shortage areas, including paediatrics, ophthalmology, neonatology, burn care and cardiothoracic care.
Training local nurses first
The Government says its first priority is to upskill people already working in Jamaica.
- The Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship funds registered nurses to train in high-demand specialities. This year the Ministry says it is training 600 nurses across a range of disciplines. Recipients must work in the national health system for at least three years after finishing (JIS).
- A first group is joining the workforce. The Minister said in March that 48 nurses and 33 doctors from the scholarship would join the workforce this year, bonded for at least three years (JIS).
- Specialist nurses' programme. At the same briefing he said 100 nurses were enrolled in the specialist nurses' programme, due to finish in October and be promoted into their specialities.
- More training places. The Ministry plans to upgrade the Kingston School of Nursing and its accommodation, offer more courses, and expand clinical rotations as new and modernised hospitals open (Ministry of Health and Wellness).
Recruiting from overseas and the diaspora
Alongside local training, Cabinet has approved a dedicated International Recruitment Unit inside the Ministry to coordinate overseas recruitment, diaspora engagement and training partnerships. The Ministry says more than 70 specialist nurses from overseas have been interviewed, and it is working on agreements with countries including India, Nigeria and Ghana (Ministry of Health and Wellness).
For Jamaicans working as nurses abroad, the diaspora drive is worth watching. JIS reported in March that the Ministry's diaspora job advertisement had drawn just under 140 applications (JIS).
Private healthcare is growing too
The demand is not only in public hospitals. Dr Tufton urged owners of private facilities to build strong human resource plans alongside new buildings and equipment, and said specialist training opens career paths in both the public and private sectors (JIS).
What this means for you
- If you are a registered nurse, ask your hospital or regional health authority about the Barry Wint scholarship and the specialist nurses' programme. Be ready for the three-year service commitment.
- If you are choosing a speciality, the areas named again and again by the Ministry are critical and intensive care, oncology, nephrology and renal dialysis, psychiatry, midwifery, neonatal care and operating theatre nursing.
- If you are a student or school leaver, nursing remains a solid route into steady work, and the clearest path to promotion is a speciality after you qualify.
- If you are an employer in private healthcare, plan your staffing early. Specialist nurses are in short supply, and you will be competing with a public sector that is actively training and recruiting.
Health is one of the few sectors where the Government is openly saying it needs more skilled people. For nurses ready to specialise, that means real opportunities over the next few years.
Sources: JIS, 27 October 2026; JIS, 10 March 2026; Ministry of Health and Wellness, 18 May 2026; Jamaica Observer, 22 May 2026.