Clinical work for nursing students at North West College will pik this week, with increased safety parametres in place. (battlefordsNOW Staff/Josh Ryan)

By Josh Ryan

Class Back In Session

North West College to continue clinical work for nursing programs

Mar 27, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Some post-secondary institutions in the province are looking at continuing their nursing programs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and within new safety parameters.

North West College is currently working with staff to get multiple programs back on campus, although President & CEO Jay Notay stresses the health and safety of students and staff remains their top priority.

“If those safety parameters cannot be in place, if we cannot do this through social distancing and if we are not in compliance with the recommendations of the chief medical officer, we postpone.”

To comply with the health and safety orders, students will write exams facing opposite walls, with only four students per room. Having most staff work from home and closing the doors to the public is already in effect. Barring future changes that would have the school completely shut down, nursing students could finish their studies this spring.

“Allows them to progress in their programs so they can have little or no disruption in terms of when they graduate and when they can start clinical placements,” Notay said.

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It also means the nursing grads can be ready to join the workforce immediately and assist in essential services as the pandemic continues. On March 19, the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association put out a call on their website for all eligible graduate nurses and retired registered nurses to stand by.

Notay said, “we have a lot of frontline workers out there and they need help too.” But if clinical work means student safety, “needs to be comprised, we will not comprise on that point.”

The decision by some Saskatchewan schools to continue clinical work has drawn worry from several nursing students. In a letter obtained by multiple media outlets, 12 students from Saskatchewan Polytechnic expressed concern and disappoint over their institution’s decision, saying the risk to students is “massive.”

Notay said he and North West’s leadership have had an open line of communication with faculty and the student body and understands the apprehension they may have. Ultimately, if students choose not to attend, they will not face punishment academically.

“If they don’t feel safe or aren’t feeling well, by all means, stay home,” Notay said. “We’re not going to be comprising their grades or their ability to progress in their program, whatever normal looks like.”

If the Coronavirus crisis progresses to the point where the health authority decides to close clinics, Notay said they’d look at possible alternatives. For now, classwork for nursing students will commence.

“Continue doing what we are doing,” Notay said, “but things could change tomorrow.”

All of the latest updates pertaining to North West College and COVID-19 are available on the school’s website.

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Josh.Ryan@jpbg.ca