University Nursing Schools Expand Enrolment by 75 Spaces
Nova Scotia's two schools of nursing at universities will expand enrolment by 75 spaces this fall, said Health Minister Jim Smith today.
The government's approval of the expansion this week allows the nursing schools enough time to inform potential candidates that nursing positions are available for the upcoming school term. Dr. Smith said the government could not afford to wait any longer to authorize the expanded enrolment.
"The nursing training program takes four years to complete. If we expand enrolments this fall, Nova Scotia will receive the benefits from an influx of new nurse graduates in the year 2003," said the minister. "If we don't give the go-ahead now, then the first of the new nurses won't be available for five years, instead of four."
A total of 75 new positions will be created, 25 at the Dalhousie University School of Nursing, 25 at the Antigonish campus of St. Francis Xavier University, and an additional 25 places at a new satellite campus to be operated by St. FX at the University College of Cape Breton in Sydney. The cost is about $2 million.
"These are the numbers of new students the universities say they can absorb in the upcoming school term," said Dr. Smith. "Giving the go-ahead now is an extremely critical element if we are to ensure that Nova Scotia has an adequate supply of new nurses entering the profession as soon as possible."
Dr. Smith said the government's decision is a response to concerns expressed by a number of nursing organizations and health care groups. Additional nurses are required for the province's tertiary care hospitals, especially in specialty areas such as critical care units and operating rooms.
"Community hospitals and long-term care facilities, as well as home-care services in many rural areas, are experiencing serious difficulties in recruiting and retaining nurses. We anticipate that the enrolment expansion and the satellite will address some of these shortages."
Dr. Smith also announced the formation of an action team on nursing education. The team is co-chaired by Carolyn Moore, executive director of the Registered Nurses Association, and Brenda Payne, with the Northern Regional Health Board.
Other members of the team include: Dr. Barbara Downe-Wambolt, Dalhousie University School of Nursing; Ellen MacFarlane, St. Francis Xavier School of Nursing; Albert MacIntyre, Licensed Practical Nurses Association; Martha Brown, Nova Scotia Government Employees Union; Evelyn Schaller, Cape Breton Health Care Complex; Michele Brennan, QEII Health Care Complex; and Pam Reid, nursing advisor to the Department of Health. A representative of the Nova Scotia Nurses Union is expected to be named by that organization later.
The action team was set up to advise government on a number of nursing education issues, including continuing and specialty nursing education, and to make recommendations regarding a nurses recruitment plan.