Drayton Valley’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program is starting strong as 46 potential students applied by the deadline for one of nine spaces this fall.
The University of Calgary (UCalgary) and Alberta Health Services (AHS) say they have partnered with the Town of Drayton Valley to offer the 3.5-year registered nursing degree, starting in September.
According to officials, UCalgary delivers the program, AHS provides the hands-on clinical space, and the Town offers up classrooms at the Clean Energy Technology Centre.
“We were very pleased with the number of applications received by the March 1 deadline,” says Dr. Heather Bensler, Assistant Dean – Academic Partnerships with UCalgary Faculty of Nursing. “There are a number of moving parts in getting a program like this up and running, but one of the critical pieces is the quality of candidates. As we go through the applications, we are encouraged to see many strong applicants from the rural area.”
Organizers say students have applied from several communities in addition to Drayton Valley, including Rocky Mountain House, Tomahawk, Millet, Stony Plain and Buck Lake – all within the required catchment area in which applicants must reside as part of their eligibility criteria.
Officials say students will hear by the end of May as to whether they are accepted to start this fall.
“We are excited to see these promising students get down to work to learn the ins and outs of rural nursing,” says Carolyn Trumper, AHS Executive Director of Integrated Quality Management, Professional Practice & Education, Planning & Performance and Clinical Information Systems. “We are confident they can take on the challenge of learning these valuable skills – and we are hopeful they will then consider a health-care career here.”
Staff with AHS say recruiting nursing staff, especially to rural sites, has been challenging across Alberta.
First established in Wainwright, experts say the rural nursing degree program has been developed to reduce barriers to learning, recruit students to healthcare careers, and encourage graduates to stay in their home communities.
Organizers say the Drayton Valley program will run for two cohorts of students, with intakes this year and next, with the goal of preparing 18 nursing graduates.
“I am delighted that our community has received an overwhelming response with over 40 applications for the University of Calgary’s rural routes nursing program,” said Drayton Valley Mayor Nancy Dodds. “This level of interest demonstrates our commitment to addressing the nursing shortage in our region. We are proud to be part of the solution and look forward to the positive impact this program will have on our community’s health and well-being.”
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