NWC and USask join forces to Expand Registered Nursing Education

NORTH BATTLEFORD – North West College and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are proud to announce a partnership to bring expanded educational opportunities to students of northwest Saskatchewan. This collaborative endeavour will create new pathways for aspiring registered nurses to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree without leaving their communities.

Recognizing the growing demand for health-care professionals and the importance of accessible education, this strategic partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing the region’s health care infrastructure. The joint initiative will not only strengthen health care services across the region, but boost the local economy as well.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

Learn Where You Live: Under this partnership, USask and North West College will work hand-in-hand to deliver the BSN program directly in northwest Saskatchewan. This means students will have the opportunity to complete their undergraduate nursing degree without having to relocate to larger urban centres.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: North West College has recently renovated the new Cenovus Energy Simulation Learning Centre, which is a modern, state-of-the-art facility with enhanced technology, ensuring students receive a high-quality education that supports the achievement of the entry-level competencies for registered nurses.

Expert Faculty: Students will benefit from the teaching of experienced faculty members from both institutions dedicated to providing quality education and mentoring.

Meeting Health Care Demands: By expanding access to registered nursing education, the initiative aims to address the increasing health care needs of the region and contribute to the growth and stabilization of the nursing workforce.

Dr. Eli Ahlquist, president & CEO of North West College, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration is a significant step forward in our mission to provide educational opportunities that meet the unique needs of our community. It is a win-win situation for both students and the region’s health care sector.”

“The University of Saskatchewan is committed to making quality nursing education accessible to all, regardless of geographical location,” said USask College of Nursing Dean Dr. Solina Richter. “There is a global shortage of registered nurses and it’s felt here in Saskatchewan, especially in our rural and remote communities. This partnership with North West College is an important step forward in the Saskatchewan Health Human Resources Action Plan. We look forward to recruiting and educating the next generation of registered nurses right here in northwest Saskatchewan.”

About North West College:

Responding to the needs of students and local industry for more than four decades, North West College (NWC) delivers training and services to facilitate the growth of the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health, and community services, academic upgrading and university transfer. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km.

About the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing:

Since 1938, the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing has been delivering quality nursing education. Using a distributive learning approach, undergraduate and graduate learners are able to learn where they live. Undergraduate programming is offered in Ile-a-la-Crosse, La Ronge, Lloydminster, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, and Yorkton. The College of Nursing has a long history of Indigenous student success and is recognized as having the highest number of self-declared Indigenous nursing students in Canada. USask Nursing faculty are addressing some of the most pressing health-care issues and leading innovations in health-care education.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Tanya Murphy
Co-ordinator, Marketing and Communications
North West College
Direct: 306-234-5118
Cell: 306-240-4049
tanya.murphy@northwestcollege.ca

Kylie Kelso
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing
Cell: 306-281-8448
kylie.kelso@usask.ca