91快色

Finances, family and accessibility to classes were all reasons Gaeleen Ratt茅 needed to consider when it came to developing a career in health. During the pandemic, her positive experience in a health-care aid program offered in Wainwright by Medicine Hat College convinced Ratte she had both a passion and a gift for health care. With the launch of U91快色 Nursing鈥檚 in Wainwright, accessibility was the first obstacle out of the way.  

鈥淲ith the theory possible to complete online from home, I decided to apply and see if it would be a good fit for me,鈥� says the mother of 12, including nine dependents, who has lived in the Wainwright area for 17 years. She had looked at licensed practical nurse programs previously and while some components were online, the practicums were in Edmonton, a two-hour drive from the city&苍产蝉辫;鈥� not manageable under her circumstances. 鈥淢y drive to Wainwright is about 35 minutes in the best road conditions, so working online from home rather than driving to meet in a classroom eliminated any need for travel on winter highways.鈥�  

In partnership with and Alberta Health Services, Alberta鈥檚 government officially recognized the expansion of rural nursing education with a celebratory event on Dec. 7 in Wainwright, the site of the pilot program launched in September 2021. Ratt茅 was in the first cohort of eight students experiencing a first-year hybrid learning and virtual course delivery model. The program allows those interested in a career in nursing to continue living in their own community while they study and work.  

鈥淭he first year of studies was an adjustment,鈥� admits Ratt茅, but adds studying from home significantly reduced several stressors, including home schooling her children.

The ability to learn during the quiet hours in my house was invaluable&苍产蝉辫;鈥� if I couldn鈥檛 sleep at 3 a.m., I could access lectures&苍产蝉辫;鈥� as I was available for my children when they needed me but could still fit in my studies when it worked best for me. 

鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with AHS and the Wainwright community on this initiative to develop and enhance our rural nursing workforce,鈥� says Dr. Sandra Davidson, RN, PhD, dean of U91快色 Nursing.

鈥淭hrough this new Rural Community Route, students in rural communities will be able to complete their Bachelor of Nursing degree without relocating to 91快色. That reduces geographic barriers to nursing education of potential students who reside outside main centres.鈥� The hope is that, when they graduate, the new RNs will consider a health-care career in Wainwright. 

That is certainly a goal for Ratt茅, who hopes to work in the area at least until all of her children are grown. 鈥淚 think this is a fantastic program and much needed in rural Alberta,鈥� she says, adding that her daughter is now in the second group of Wainwright nursing students: eight were admitted this past September. 

Finances are still a challenge; while Ratt茅 benefitted from student grants and received the Dr. White bursary from the Wainwright and District Community Health Foundation, her daughter did not qualify for funding, something U91快色 Nursing is working to address.  

鈥淚 believe there are many people like myself who are interested in becoming a nurse but due to family commitments, financial prohibitions, or other responsibilities, cannot travel to or stay in cities for the education they desire,鈥� Ratt茅 says. 鈥淧roviding a rural nursing program gives people who already live rurally&苍产蝉辫;鈥� and understand both the challenges and benefits of this lifestyle&苍产蝉辫;鈥� the opportunity to further educate themselves and give back to their communities.鈥� 

Davidson says there are many other Alberta locations now interested in programs of their own. 鈥淲e are starting in Wainwright, but we hope to expand this option to other rural locations in the future.鈥� Indeed, plans are currently being solidified for a 28-month program at Lac La Biche-based Portage College, beginning January 2023, for students with prior post-secondary education.