Inspired to work and learn in rural areas

November 13, 2009

The College of Nursing has announced the launch of the Interprofessional Network for Students to Practice in Rural/Remote Environments (INSPIRE), a rural distance education program.

The program will allow nursing students to live and work in smaller centres while they continue with regular studies with the U of S by making use of modern communications technology like Skype and internet video connections. At the launch, held at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan, Lorna Butler, dean of nursing, said INSPIRE will contribute to the expansion of the nursing program to smaller centres like Yorkton, Swift Current and Weyburn.

In a college release, Butler said the new program creates more practicum options for students and provides smaller health care facilities with more support staff. It also will enable students to reduce the cost of their education by allowing them to do part of their education closer to where they live and work.

“And by streamlining access to nursing education, it is helping to fill our province’s need for more nursing graduates,” said Butler.