Nursing Training To Be Offered In PBCN Communities

Nursing Training To Be Offered In PBCN Communities

Monday, June 18, 2007 at 15:43

 

 

A licenced practical nursing program will be offered this fall in three Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation reserve communities.

 

Officials from the band, SIAST’s Woodland Campus and Northlands College signed a Memorandum of Understanding this morning in Prince Albert.

 

Students will be trained in their own community with the use of online technology, enabling them to receive the support of their family and friends.

 

In addition to online courses and nursing labs, the students will participate in clinical experiences in accredited facilities.

 

A total of 27 students are already being prepped for the course, which will officially begin this fall in Pelican Narrows, Deschambault Lake and Southend.

 

PBCN Chief Darrell McCallum says he hopes his band members will be more encouraged to stay and work in their communities if they don’t have to leave to get the training.

 

Northlands College CEO Bill McLaughlin notes health care training is a critical need in northern Saskatchewan.

 

McLaughlin says this particular project will test the capability of distance education technology in training practical nurses.

 

The Practical Nursing program is a two-year certificate program that prepares students to provide professional nursing care independently or as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team.