Initiative brings school to county residents’ doors
By Nancy Boutin
The County of Oxford is taking a homespun approach to addressing the nursing shortage.
The County of Oxford and Woodingford Lodge have entered a partnership with Toronto-based Humber College that will bring nursing school right to local students, educating more registered practical nurses for potential employment at Woodingford’s three sites, as well as at other health-care organizations including doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and other acute care settings.
The program will be delivered primarily through the Woodstock Woodingford Lodge site, although some labs and other program requirements will require trips to Toronto for completion.
Because the program will be offered on a part-time basis, Oxford County residents who want to upgrade to a professional RPN career, change careers, or even find work for the first time can do so while they continue to work, raise their children, or fulfill other commitments.
Not only does the part-time nature of the program make it appealing, the fact that a high school diploma is not a prerequisite will make the program very attractive to a broad range of people.
Corie Fransen, administrator/manager of operations for Woodingford Lodge said Humber College will assess candidates through diagnostic testing and provide necessary upgrading before the program starts.
“This is a “win-win-win” opportunity for everyone,” said Janice Kubiak, corporate manager of Human Resources for the County of Oxford in a release. “Woodingford employees and others interested in upgrading their skills and pursuing a professional career will have access to a leading provincial program right in their own community on a part-time basis so that they can continue working if they choose.
“Woodingford and other health-care organizations in Oxford will have access to practical nursing graduates with ties to the community, and residents of Oxford County will be served by additional nurses through a program that is at no cost to them.”
*Click here to read the full article: http://www.tillsonburgnews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1345797
