Nursing Program Northern Northern

Annual Report 2016 Introduction

In September 2012, the College of Nursing began offering a full Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in Ile-a-la-Crosse and . In order to keep our regional stakeholders informed about our programming in the past, we have provided semi-annual reporting on program indicators, such as student numbers and success rates, clinical placements, outreach and relevant research activities. Going forward, we are now moving to an annual reporting cycle, as we have developed additional and complementary means to communicate with our stakeholders in the Northern Administrative District.

We hope you enjoy this 2016 Annual Report. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or suggestions! Annual Report Annual of Nursing NorthernU of S College 2016 Nursing Program

1 Student Applications for 2016/17 & Overall Student Demographics

The nursing student seat allocation Within our current Northern cohort, 2015, there have been 14 graduates for Northern is officially 90% of students have self-declared from the North, ten in 2015 and four 15 – normally five for Ile-a-la-Crosse as Aboriginal and all of them are in 2016. Although a number of and ten for La Ronge per academic female. In the future, it would be students have fallen “out-of-cohort”, year. In order to be admitted into beneficial to recruit more male only three have discontinued the the College of Nursing, prospective students into the program, as this program since we began in 2012. students must have successfully would be significant in helping to Students, at all sites, have six years to completed a pre-professional year shift to a more gender-proportional complete the Bachelor of Science in of ten (30 credit units) Arts and health care workforce, which may Nursing degree, although the typical Science classes, including Chemistry, furthermore encourage men to trajectory is one pre-professional year Biology and Statistics. In addition, engage with primary and preventive in Arts and Science, followed by three students need to be long term health care. years with the College of Nursing. residents of the Northern Overall, retention within the College Administrative District. The College of Nursing has remained high. Since has been slightly over filling seats in the past two years, to ensure all students who have met the prerequisites have access to the nursing program. Officially, students are admitted into the College of Nursing in “Year 2”.

In the Fall of 2016, the College admitted four Year 2 students to the Ile-a-la Crosse site, and eight to La Ronge. All Year 2 students are of Aboriginal descent. In total, the Northern Nursing Program has 41 students: 17 students in Year 2, 20 students in Year 3 and four (l to r) Janet McKenzie, Jeanne Kusch, Martin Roy, Geralyn Clarke students in Year 4. We are very gratified to have seen steady growth in admissions in the past few years. Congratulations to our Graduates! Students currently come from the In May, we celebrated the successful completion of the Bachelor of Science communities of Ile-a-la-Crosse, of Nursing for Geralyn Clarke, Jeanne Kusch, Janet McKenzie and Martin Roy La Ronge, , with a graduation banquet well attended by family, friends and staff, faculty Lake, Southend, from and the College of Nursing and other community and . stakeholders. The students officially convocated on June 2, 2016. Annual Report Annual of Nursing NorthernU of S College 2016 Nursing Program

2 3 U of S College of Nursing Northern Nursing Program Annual Report 2016 lncl Placements Clinical  The following chart outlines the clinical experiences for the northern nursingstudentsThe outlinestheclinicalexperiences inthe2016-17academicyear: following for thenorthern chart enhance anddevelopknowledge. theirnursingskills to andto practice further theory toThese ofexperiences connect types provide students withanopportunity Clinical andlabexperiences are integral to theCollege ofNursing’s curriculumandindividualstudent development. PROGRAM YEAR IN 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 4 COURSE NURS NURS NURS NURS NURS NURS NURS NURS 431 308 331 331 333 221 202 450 La Rongeonly 4 students; 7 -Ile-a-la-Crosse 10 -LaRonge 17 students; 6 -Ile-a-la-Crosse 9 -LaRonge 15 students; 6 -Ile-a-la-Crosse 9 -LaRonge 15 students; 6 -Ile-a-la-Crosse 9 -LaRonge 15 students; 7 -Ile-a-la-Crosse 12 -LaRonge 19 students; 3 -Ile-a-la-Crosse 8 -LaRonge 11 students; 2 –Ile-a-la-Crosse 4 -LaRonge 6 students; STUDENTS # OF Home Care Band,Lac LaRongeIndian Public Healthand Mental Health Services, Mental Health,Addictions La RongeCommunity MentalHealth,Inpatient HealthCenter Ile-a-la-Crosse Addictions BuffaloNarrowsAddictions Jeannie Bird Clinic Victoria Pediatric Hospital,Prince Albert Unit Victoria Hospital, Obstetrical Prince Unit Albert Medical AcuteMedical Care Meadow Lake andBattleford – Medical AcuteMedical Care Meadow Lake andBattleford – Keewatin HealthAuthority –St. Joseph’s Hospital La RongeRural Acute Care La RongeHospitalLong Term Care Unit St. JosephAcute Care inIle-a-la-Crosse La Loche HealthCenter Campus students includes: andNorth Albert Final clinicalplacements opento bothPrince Community HealthandHomeCare Mamawetan Churchill River HealthRegion Jeannie Bird Clinic

LOCATION OFPLACEMENT Sept 12– Sept blocked clinical May 1– 16, 2017 Prince Albert; 96 Hoursin May 16,2017 Jan 12– 48 Hours; June 23,2017 May 23– June 23,2017 May 23– Nov 3,2016 24– Sept June 23,2017 May 23– Dec 3,2016 Dec Nov 29&30, April6,2017 Jan 9,2017– Nov 30,2017 TIME FRAME

Prince Albert Unit in Mental Health 96 Hourson Community 48 Hours CLINICAL HOURS CLINICAL 156 144 360 260 78 78 24 Employment in the North

As addressed in our Fall 2015 Semi-Annual Report, new graduates continue to experience challenges finding work in northern communities and northern health regions. Some of this difficulty relates to a requirement for Registered Nurses (RNs) to obtain a minimum of two to three years of nursing experience before being considered for employment within more isolated environments (for Nursing students helped facilitate the HOPE Symposium for students in Northern example, due to the need to work Saskatchewan in November 2016 autonomously, requirements for Additional Authorized Practice and Student Supports and Mental Health the complexity of nursing care in remote northern communities).

Given the recent tragedies this fall, families have access to mental In December 2015, the College of the College acknowledges the past health counselling and personal Nursing organized a meeting in relation year has been a difficult one for supports should anyone require to employment of new graduates in many of our students and alumni. additional support. Our thoughts Northern Saskatchewan. Stakeholders The College of Nursing has worked are with everyone in the (Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, closely with Northlands College to community dealing with the Kelsey Trail, Peter Ballantyne, Mamawetan ensure our students and their impacts of these tragedies. Churchill River, Prince Albert Parkland and Athabasca health authorities) were engaged to discuss challenges Graduate Education Opportunities and opportunities in the employment of new graduates; however, the problem remains unresolved. We know there are The College of Nursing’s Master of Practitioner (MN-NP) and Doctor high turnover and vacancy rates; a 2012 Nursing (MN) program is offered of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)]. report for the Northern Labour Market online, making it more accessible The annual application deadline for Health Sector Training Sub-Committee for Registered Nurses in rural and both the Master of Nursing (thesis found that of all health professions remote communities to complete & course-based) and Doctor of facing a shortage in the region, the requirements without leaving Philosophy in Nursing program Registered Nurses topped the list and home or interrupting their present is February 15th and the Master there was an estimated annual need employment. of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner for 26 new Registered Nurses and In order to enhance Aboriginal program deadline is April 1st. Registered Psychiatric Nurses. representation in health care To discuss the graduate program The College of Nursing is looking administration, advanced practice, application process and forward to continuing work with our teaching and research, the College opportunities, please contact stakeholders in developing creative of Nursing has established a $5,000 Jill Brown, Graduate Program approaches to the mentorship and entrance award for all , Coordinator, at (306) 966-6231 development of our graduates’ Métis and Inuit students accepted or [email protected]. experience, while ensuring they have into any of our graduate programs

Annual Report Annual of Nursing NorthernU of S College 2016 Nursing Program reasonable employment opportunities. [Master in Nursing (MN), Nurse 4 Innovative Learning Institute on Circumpolar Health

Almost three years ago, the College of (Stanley Mission). This field course learned from their own local contexts. Nursing helped create the Northern included a week of seminars and In addition to learning, the group Nursing Education Network, which group activities at the University of enjoyed excellent hospitality and are now includes fourteen institutions Saskatchewan Campus, now expert connoisseurs of bannock! from seven countries. One of the then the group headed north to Special thanks to: Karla Hardcastle, Network’s goals is to develop La Ronge, Stanley Mission, Pinehouse Guy Penney, Thomas Sierzycki, mobility and study abroad opportu- Lake and Ile-a-la Crosse. The students Andrew McLetchie, Cathy Wheaton, nities for northern and Indigenous learned about the different respon- Don Caisse, Janet McKenzie, nursing students. As reported in the sibilities and roles that northern Phyllis Smith, Jeanne Kusch, Duane Fall 2015 Semi-Annual Report, two Registered Nurses assume, Cree Favel, Vince Ahenakew, Jean-Marc Northern Saskatchewan students and Métis concepts of wellness and Desmeules, the staff at Jim’s visited Yakutsk, Russia, in north healing and strategies to address Fishing Camp and everyone else eastern Siberia as a part of this the primary health care needs of who made the visit so memorable initiative. This allowed the students northern communities. They were for the next generation of northern to consider northern social deter- also able to share ideas and lessons nurse leaders. minants of health and health care practices from a completely different geographical context.

In August 2016, the College of Nursing hosted twelve students from 6 countries (Russia, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Finland and ) in Saskatchewan, where they learned about northern health from a Saskatchewan perspective. Two students from the College of Nursing were also selected to partic- ipate in this initiative - Kaylee-Ann

Annual Report Annual of Nursing NorthernU of S College 2016 Nursing Program Irving (La Ronge) and Kristy Merasty Student attendees gathered in Saskatoon before heading to Northern Saskatchewan

5 6 U of S College of Nursing Northern Nursing Program Annual Report 2016 Outreach andEngagement . . La Rongenursing studentsatIndigenousNursesCelebration Gala

and included participation interprofessional event also Nursing andMedicine. This students from theColleges of health care professionals and to interact with an opportunity gavethese activities thestudents blood glucose testing. Eachof and casting, bloodpressure and whichincludedsuturing activities, days ofhealthrelated, hands-on intwo Students participated Loche, Pinehouse Bay. andSandy House, Beauval, Green Lake, La the communities ofCumberland school students and12stafffrom attendance2016. In were 17high Symposium onMarch 15and16, Lights Youth Health Careers hosted theannualNorthern Division, Lights School Northern the College andthe ofMedicine Nursing, incooperation with Once again,theCollege of College.from Northlands the pre-professional students NORTEP andNORPAC, aswell as nursing program to students of and apresentation aboutthe La Rongeandprovided lunch Campus travelledAlbert to Nursing stafffrom the Prince 2016,College of January In  

. .

undergraduate program. and share detailsabout the learn where you live philosophy the awareness oftheCollege’s inorder to increasethe North school career fairsthroughout Taciuk attended anumberofhigh sional Academic Advisor Pat CampusPrince Profes Albert - addition, Tracy andtheCollege’s adult learnersinattendance. In several hundred highschooland May 10,2016. This event had on Career Day inLa Rongeon Career Symposium andHands Corporation’s 30thAnnual Keewatin Career Development Campuses, attendedNorthern the Advisor for and Prince Albert Tracy Gobeil, Aboriginal Nursing campuses inSaskatoon. wan visitvarious post-secondary Saskatche from across Northern which seeshighschoolstudents Conference onMay 5,2016, (NASA) 5thAnnualExploration istrative Students Association Admintours- for theNorthern sored andhosted anumberof The College- ofNursingco-spon   Nutrition andPhysical Therapy. care professions, including presentations from otherhealth -

Celebration Gala Nurses Indigenous  Janet Spence-Fontaine Stanley Mission. ofherchildhoodin spent part born at Little RedRiver, andJanet (BSN ’65).Hermother, Ruth,was known Aboriginalfirst graduate Fontaine, theCollege ofNursing’s speaker was JanetSpence- La Rongecampus. The keynote well asfour students from our nursesat theevent,northern as We were delighted to seemany Regional NursingConference. HealthBranchNations Inuit simultaneous withtheFirst Sheraton Cavalier inSaskatoon, the Top Ballroom oftheInn at the onNovemberGala 22,2016at Nurses Celebrationan Indigenous The College ofNursinghosted

Prince Albert based Assistant Professor Geoffrey Maina simultaneously instructs students in Prince Albert, La Ronge and Ile-a-la-Crosse

Teaching & Connections Mentorship

Historically, the distributed program some classes. This also provided an The College of Nursing is once relied on videoconference and the opportunity for students in Prince again organizing mentorships use of remote presence technology Albert to experience distributed for fourth year students who will mostly originating from the Saska- teaching, as faculty taught from convocate in the Spring of 2017. toon Campus to provide education the North for at least one class. If you are a Registered Nurse of to the students enrolled in Ile-a- This classroom ‘swap’ fostered Aboriginal descent, or have la-Crosse and La Ronge. This year relationships between students in significant experience working marked a move to videoconferencing the same student association and in First Nations and Métis and providing remote presence provided increased understanding communities, and are interested from the Prince Albert Campus for of three different communities. in being a mentor, please contact [email protected] or apply to be a mentor by March 3, 2017 via: http://www.  Previous Reports usask.ca/nursing/aboriginal/ Four previous Northern Nursing Program Semi-Annual Reports docs/AboriginalMentorRegistra- dating to Fall 2013 are available on our website: tion.pdf. www.usask.ca/nursing. Annual Report Annual of Nursing NorthernU of S College 2016 Nursing Program

7  For more information, comments or suggestions, please contact the following individuals located at the Prince Albert Campus:

Acting Assistant Dean Prince Albert & Northern Campus Dr. Janet McCabe [email protected]

Clinical Coordinator Sheila Cooper [email protected]

Aboriginal Nursing Advisor Tracy Gobeil [email protected]

Professional Academic Advisor Pat Taciuk [email protected]

usask.ca/nursing | Toll Free: 1-844-966-6269