Province Educating More Nurses

As many as 240 more nurses will be educated in Nova Scotia over the next four years, under a new $7-million training plan announced today, March 3.

Health Minister Jane Purves said some of the training will be delivered through shorter, concentrated programs so nurses are able to care for patients in our hospitals and nursing homes even sooner.

"This is another significant step in our overall plan to train, recruit and keep more nurses and doctors to provide care for patients," Ms. Purves said. "It also supports our commitment to shortening wait lists for treatment and improving the quality of care."

Sixty additional nurses will be trained in each of the four years of the plan:

• 25 will be educated in a joint nursing program between the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB) and St. Francis Xavier (St. F.X.) School of Nursing
• 25 science undergraduates will be able to take a shorter, concentrated program that prepares them for nursing in 20 months, compared to four years
• 10 licensed practical nurses will be able to enter a new program to become registered nurses in three years instead of four.

Ellen MacFarlane, chair of the School of Nursing at St. F.X., said they were successful in meeting the province's challenge to find creative and innovative ways to meet the needs of the workforce.

"Government support for our recommendations clearly signals an increased commitment to health care. The province is taking a lead role in Canada to be innovative and proactive," said Ms. MacFarlane. "Today's announcement is good for the universities, good for Nova Scotians, good for health care, and good for nurses."

Dr. Hal Jorch, dean of science and technology at UCCB, is pleased to see the nursing program expand. "We have a huge demand for our program and are thrilled to be able to accept twice as many first-year students this fall, said Dr. Jorch. "Today's announcement gives a tremendous boost to the future of Health Care in Cape Breton, with more nurses given the opportunity to learn and practice here than ever before."

The province continues discussions with Dalhousie University on ways to expand its current 135 seats.

Throughout the last decade, the number of nurses graduating has dropped dramatically, from a high of 333 to a low of 86. In 1999, government began funding an additional 75 nursing seats. As a result, about 200 nurses are expected to graduate this year, more than double the number graduating in 1997.

Funding announced today is in addition to the $10 million already invested in the provincial nursing strategy over the past two years. This strategy includes more support and training to practising nurses, paid co-op terms for student nurses, and recruitment resources like professional development budgets, bursaries for nurses updating their training, relocation allowances and an RN re-entry program.