Nursing program benefits students and province

Posted: November 26, 2014 1:50 p.m.

(L-R) Dr. Thomas Chase, University of Regina Provost and Vice-President (Academic); Dr. Armin Eberlein, University of Regina Dean of Graduate Studies and Research; Diana Ashfield, student, Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program; Dr. Anne Neufeld, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Provost and Vice-President Academic; Dr. david Gregory, University of Regina Dean of Nursing; Dr. Netha Dyck, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Dean of Nursing; Honourable Kevin Doherty, Minister of Advanced Education; and Dr.Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic President.
(L-R) Dr. Thomas Chase, University of Regina Provost and Vice-President (Academic); Dr. Armin Eberlein, University of Regina Dean of Graduate Studies and Research; Diana Ashfield, student, Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program; Dr. Anne Neufeld, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Provost and Vice-President Academic; Dr. david Gregory, University of Regina Dean of Nursing; Dr. Netha Dyck, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Dean of Nursing; Honourable Kevin Doherty, Minister of Advanced Education; and Dr.Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic President. Photo: U of R Photography

The University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic are pleased with the early success of the Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program (CNPP). It’s the first joint master’s program offered online, giving students the opportunity to earn their Master’s of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) degree in their home communities.

“I am so excited this master’s program is offered online. I can do this in my community and it doesn’t take time away from my family,” says Diana Ashfield who lives and studies in Whitewood, Saskatchewan. “There is a real need for nurse practitioners in this part of Southeast Saskatchewan. This was a calling and I want to have the education to fill that calling.”

The program was launched in September 2014 and there are 18 students currently enrolled from various communities including: Regina, Grenfell, Humboldt, Indian Head, Macklin, Martensville, Prince Albert, Watrous, Whitewood as well as in some communities outside Saskatchewan.

 The program is delivered online, taught by both University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic faculty using the latest technologies. Full-time students complete the program in two years; part-time students complete it in four years.

 “This innovative program demonstrates how the University of Regina is helping to meet the needs of people across Saskatchewan, and not just in Regina,” says Dr. Thomas Chase, University of Regina Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

This Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program is also the newest example of partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina. The two institutions first offered the new Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program three years ago.

 “Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University have a strong relationship of working together to meet the needs of students across our province,” says Dr. Anne Neufeld, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Provost and Vice-President Academic.
In addition to benefitting students the program also helps the people of Saskatchewan. Graduates will improve health care services across Canada - especially in rural, isolated and northern communities, where nurse practitioners often manage the care of patients and their families in primary care settings.

“This program aligns our post-secondary education system with labour market needs of the health sector,” said Advanced Education Minister Kevin Doherty. “It strengthens opportunities for health professionals to enhance their education, while building a talented and sustainable nursing workforce to meet the needs of our province’s growing population.”

Applications for the Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program are being accepted for openings in September 2015.  

 For more information on the program visit www.sasknursingdegree.ca/cnpp/