December 14, 2021
Province To Increase Nurse Training Seats in North
– – –New Seats in Flin Flon, Thompson, Swan River To Help Address Nursing Shortages in Northern Manitoba: Ewasko
THOMPSON—The Manitoba government will invest up to $4.3 million for 37 additional nurse training seats at three campuses of the University College of the North (UCN) as part of a multi-year plan, Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Minister Wayne Ewasko announced here today.
“This past July, our government committed to adding additional nursing seats and today’s announcement is a part of that plan,” said Ewasko. “We have listened to feedback from UCN and are pleased to provide capital and operating funding to make this expansion possible.”
There are currently more than 800 nursing seats in Manitoba, offered at six publicly funded post-secondary institutions across the province. The funding will support the expansion by enabling UCN to invest in equipment, classroom renovations and instructors to support the additional seats.
“The University College of the North welcomes the government of Manitoba’s support to substantially increase the number of nurse training seats in the north,” said Doug Lauvstad, president and vice-chancellor, UCN. “UCN is committed to helping address the nursing shortage both in the north and in the province. Recruitment and retention of professionals in rural and northern regions is always a challenge and the best, most cost-effective solution is to grow our own and ensure northern people are in northern jobs.”
The minister noted the provincial government continues to work with post-secondary institutions to announce plans for expansions at other facilities in the coming days and examine other options to add additional nursing seats.
“Manitoba’s Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy sets out our plan for ensuring we align educational opportunities to labour market needs and ensuring we grow, attract and retain skilled workers,” said Ewasko. “This investment will ensure northern and Indigenous students have the opportunity to study closer to home, which is sure to help the health region hire more nurses to serve in their communities.”
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