GREAT BAY--The National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) is celebrating alumna Sherlin Sahida Warrington after she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University, graduating with President’s and Dean’s honors and a cumulative GPA of 3.86. Her degree was conferred on October 3, 2026.
Warrington’s achievement also marks an important milestone for NIPA. She was a member of the first cohort of the institute’s revamped SBO Level 4 Registered Nurse program, which began in 2021, and is the first member of that cohort to go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Before continuing her studies at Chamberlain University, Warrington completed NIPA’s 36-month SBO Level 4 Registered Nurse program and earned her nursing diploma in St. Maarten. The program combines nursing theory, evidence-based practice and supervised clinical experience across acute, chronic and community healthcare settings.
The program is designed to strengthen clinical judgment, communication, teamwork and professional accountability while preparing graduates for professional nursing practice.
A key feature of the NIPA nursing program is its pathway to university-level education, allowing locally trained nurses to continue their academic development after completing their diploma. Warrington’s progression from NIPA to a bachelor’s degree at an international university demonstrates how that pathway can work for students who begin their nursing education at home.
Her accomplishment comes as NIPA’s Diploma Nursing Program has received Pre-Accreditation Status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, an important development for the institute and its nursing education program.
“Sherlin’s achievement is exactly what NIPA’s nursing program was built to make possible,” the NIPA Board of Directors said. “She was part of our very first cohort, she earned her SBO Level 4 Nursing Diploma here at home, and she has now completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with honors. Her journey proves that world-class nursing careers can begin right here on St. Maarten.”
The NIPA Board and Management also congratulated Warrington and her family and recognized the faculty members and clinical partners who contributed to the foundation of her nursing education.
NIPA said Warrington’s achievement is particularly meaningful for St. Maarten as the country continues to develop its local healthcare workforce. Her academic progression provides an example for current and future nursing students that it is possible to begin professional training locally and continue toward higher academic qualifications.
NIPA offers Licensed Practical Nurse and SBO Level 4 Registered Nurse tracks aimed at preparing students for healthcare careers locally, regionally and internationally, while maintaining pathways for graduates who wish to continue their studies at the university level.
