By Susan Schneider, contributor
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, is a city of approximately 70,000 people located in the southern part of the province, in one of the sunniest regions of Canada. The nearby Canadian Rockies provide a breathtaking backdrop to the bustling city as well as plentiful recreational activities.
The University of Lethbridge, with a student population of 7,300, houses one of the most significant art collections in Canada with more than 13,000 pieces from Canada, America and Europe.
The University’s School of Health Sciences offers a two-and-a-half year nursing diploma program and a four-year bachelor of nursing program in a joint venture with Lethbridge Community College. This venture is called ‘The Nursing Education in Southern Alberta’ (NESA).
Nursing students split their time between courses offered on each campus, with the first four semesters of the program common for both the BN route and the diploma in nursing route. Course requirements and program costs are identical for these first four semesters and students may change programs at any time during the first one and a half years.
Warren Rolfe, a 23-year old first-year nursing student nominated Lethbridge’s nursing program for recognition by NurseZone. Initially planning on earning a degree in engineering, Rolfe transferred to the nursing program after hearing about it from friends.
"What I like about the program is the support of the community, how tight knit the nursing groups are and the nursing faculty," Rolfe said. "They guide you and provide the knowledge you need, but encourage you to be a critical thinker.
In addition to traditional lectures, a problem based learning component provides a chance for students, in tight-knit groups of 12, to analyze case studies from many perspectives.
"For example," said Rolfe, "we examined the situation of woman who is pregnant and in prison from the perspective of her pregnancy, women in prison and a nurse’s role in the prison environment. We took a tour of the prison and had guest speakers on the topic. It was really interesting."
"We have also had case studies about health care for the aboriginal population in Canada," Rolfe said. "There are many different practice environments offered by the community. It really helps you develop your thinking about how and where you can apply what you’re learning."
"The program requires that students be willing to change how they learn," Rolfe said.
Rolfe admires all his instructors, but it is one member of the administrative staff, Sheila Pearce, whom he considers remarkably helpful to the nursing students.
"She solves problems," Rolfe said. "You can always count on her to help you sort things out."
When the compliment was relayed to her, Pearce laughed but was appreciative.
"I have been working at the university for 16 years, with the last six of those with the nursing program," Pearce said. "This is a place that really cares about its students. We don’t just teach them, we look after them."
"I try to help facilitate the students’ studies, finding the answers to their questions and making them feel comfortable. We all want them to succeed and do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Pearce said the application process for the nursing program is one she thinks contributes to their 100 percent graduation rate.
"Students must have the required marks to be accepted," explained Pearce, "but more than that, the panel looks for intent–proof that this is really, really what the student wants. That is what makes for a good nursing student. And a good nurse."
For more information, please visit the University of Lethbridge Web site.
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, is a city of approximately 70,000 people located in the southern part of the province, in one of the sunniest regions of Canada. The nearby Canadian Rockies provide a breathtaking backdrop to the bustling city as well as plentiful recreational activities.
The University of Lethbridge, with a student population of 7,300, houses one of the most significant art collections in Canada with more than 13,000 pieces from Canada, America and Europe.
The University’s School of Health Sciences offers a two-and-a-half year nursing diploma program and a four-year bachelor of nursing program in a joint venture with Lethbridge Community College. This venture is called ‘The Nursing Education in Southern Alberta’ (NESA).
Nursing students split their time between courses offered on each campus, with the first four semesters of the program common for both the BN route and the diploma in nursing route. Course requirements and program costs are identical for these first four semesters and students may change programs at any time during the first one and a half years.
Warren Rolfe, a 23-year old first-year nursing student nominated Lethbridge’s nursing program for recognition by NurseZone. Initially planning on earning a degree in engineering, Rolfe transferred to the nursing program after hearing about it from friends.
"What I like about the program is the support of the community, how tight knit the nursing groups are and the nursing faculty," Rolfe said. "They guide you and provide the knowledge you need, but encourage you to be a critical thinker.
In addition to traditional lectures, a problem based learning component provides a chance for students, in tight-knit groups of 12, to analyze case studies from many perspectives.
"For example," said Rolfe, "we examined the situation of woman who is pregnant and in prison from the perspective of her pregnancy, women in prison and a nurse’s role in the prison environment. We took a tour of the prison and had guest speakers on the topic. It was really interesting."
"We have also had case studies about health care for the aboriginal population in Canada," Rolfe said. "There are many different practice environments offered by the community. It really helps you develop your thinking about how and where you can apply what you’re learning."
"The program requires that students be willing to change how they learn," Rolfe said.
Rolfe admires all his instructors, but it is one member of the administrative staff, Sheila Pearce, whom he considers remarkably helpful to the nursing students.
"She solves problems," Rolfe said. "You can always count on her to help you sort things out."
When the compliment was relayed to her, Pearce laughed but was appreciative.
"I have been working at the university for 16 years, with the last six of those with the nursing program," Pearce said. "This is a place that really cares about its students. We don’t just teach them, we look after them."
"I try to help facilitate the students’ studies, finding the answers to their questions and making them feel comfortable. We all want them to succeed and do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Pearce said the application process for the nursing program is one she thinks contributes to their 100 percent graduation rate.
"Students must have the required marks to be accepted," explained Pearce, "but more than that, the panel looks for intent–proof that this is really, really what the student wants. That is what makes for a good nursing student. And a good nurse."
For more information, please visit the University of Lethbridge Web site.
picture grabbed from www.independentrncontractor.com/
