THE 25 students graduating from North- west Community College's first-ever li- censed practical nursing program this month are finding a waiting job market, says their main instructor. At least 15 inquiries have already been made by potential employers, says Mi- chelle Nehring. Nehring as the program winds down from a year of intense activity. Students this month are out in the field for a final one on one placement with nurses in a variety of health care institu- lions. One student is in Burns Lake; an- other in Smithers, there are students at Mills Memorial Hospital here and at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital among other locations, Nehring notes. “Overall everything we’re hearing has been positive,” she said. “They’re defini- tely needed.” Filling that need was the idea of the provincial government beginning in 2000 when il began to expand registered and licensed practical nursing programs acrass the province. Until the program was approved here in 2001 for a January 2002 start, the northwest was the only re- gion of the province without any type of nurse training program. - Nehring and Denine Marasco, the Narthwest Community College dean in charge of its health programs, are quick to credit community involvement. As many as 10 nurses and other peaple from outside taught sections of the curri- culum and hospital managers and staff pave their support where needed. “One of the LPNs that came in here and was teaching has 25 years of exper- ience and she said it put a whole different perspective on nursing and that was re- warding to hear,” said Marasco. With the students ready for the job market or for further study, the program is I's been a gratifying. response for Al4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 18, 2002 Nursing students finding jobs available taking an eight month break until a new class starts next September. Ill give time for both an internal and external evaluation, says Marasco. The September first start also fits in with the college’s regular program semes- ter schedule. _ “We'll look at what worked and what didn’t, at what changes we should make,” she said. The program involves classroom and practical experience in each of its three semesters. Students have already said there should be a longer break between sernes- ters and practical placements, Marasco said. And they’ve said there should be more hands-on experience. “This has been a very intense program. The degree to which students have had to re-orient their lives to be here for a year has really impressed me,” said Marasco. She’s also been impressed by the de- gree of assistance from other more estab- lished nursing programs and from north- west hospitals. Having 25 northwestern students graduate is also a sign of one of the phi- losophical underpinnings of the program. “Studies have shown over and over again where people train is likely where they will work,” Marasco said. There’s already keen interest in next fall’s class with approximately 40 appli- cations and inquiries already on file. As well as solidifying its licensed practical nursing program, the college is in close contact with the University of Northern British Columbia to develop a Bachelor of Science of Nursing program. The idea is that students will start at the college and finish at the university. It’s part of what Marasco views as a broad effort to improve northern health services. Ter Builders 2x9,5 Airmiles1218 - Blac Hospital changes nurse plan NEWLY-GRADUATED students from Northwest Community College’s li- censed practical nursing program -are to benefit - from a shift in thinking at Mills Memorial Hospital. Hard-pressed to find en- ough registered nurses to fill vacancies, Mills has re-allocated some of the money it would have spent on registered nurses to cre- ate 4.5 full-time equivalent licensed practical nursing (LPN) positions. Hospital nursing direc- tor Marg Petrick says the positions will result in the hospital having one extra LPN on duty all the time in addition to its regular li- censed practical and regis- tered nursing complement. Existing LPNs in the? hospital’s casual pool have had first dibs on the jobs because of seniority and have taken up all but one of the new posilions. Cont'd Page A15 g days until ... she sees her gift in your hand. it’s a little box with a pretty bow, And inside is a velvety jewelry box. And her heart starts to race... Present this coupon at time of purchase and receive Offer expires Dec. 31st, 2002 E ese TRIPLE AIRMILES. 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