A chance to pursue a career in nursing without having to travel far for an education.
Lakehead University and the Seven Generations Education Institute have teamed up to offer a All Nation Nurses Entry program.
The course is being delivered at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus and at the Seven Generations campuses in Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Fort Frances through videoconferencing technology.
Program Coordinator Brigitte Loeppky says the goal is to have graduates stay and work in their home community.
Loeppky stresses “Growing your own nurses from your own communities addresses issues with recruitment. People will remain in their own communities and they understand the people in the community.”
She adds it will “ultimately provide better care through improved culturally, component and safe care.”
Loeppky notes there is a serious shortage of nurses in Northwestern Ontario and she hopes this program will help fill the void.
The nine-month certificate program is designed to encourage Treaty Three members to pursue careers as Registered Nurses while remaining in their communities.
The course, open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous applicants, provides students with the skills needed to enter a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.
Loeppky says their first cohort graduated in June and everyone of their graduates obtained gainful employment as a practical nurse.
The course attempts to address Indigenous health and education inequities and directly responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action of increasing the number of aboriginal professionals working in the health care field.
Applications are now being accepted.
For more information visit http://www.7generations.org
To hear more, visit the Audio link below.
