Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan Solina Richter, front left, and North West College President Eli Ahlquist, front right, at the signing ceremony Thursday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)  

By Angela Brown

Program starts Sept. 2024

North West College to offer Bachelor of Nursing program in Battlefords

Nov 9, 2023 | 4:24 PM

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan is now available at North West College in the Battlefords.

On Thursday North West College President Eli Ahlquist and dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Saskatchewan Solina Richter took part in a signing ceremony to make the partnership between the two parties official.

Students starting in September 2024 will make up the first class to begin the program at North West College’s Battlefords campus.

The announcement was made at the new Cenovus Energy simulation learning centre for nursing at the college.

Ahlquist was thrilled to begin offering the program at North West College.

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“I’m very grateful for the U of S in their partnership and the support they’ve provided to us – not just for this program but in helping us develop the layout and what would make the best sense in how we can do that,” he said.

Through the program, professors from the University of Saskatchewan will travel to North Battleford to provide instruction, as well as offer virtual learning for students as needed to offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program here.

Ahlquist said the partnership is a “significant milestone for North West College and the community.”

He noted the need for highly skilled nurses for the region and beyond has “never been greater.”

Ahlquist said North West College students will receive world class instruction through this program “right here at home.”

“This program will make higher education more accessible to local students who aspire to become nurses,” he said.

Ahlquist added this will also help the Battlefords “retain talent,” since students of the program will more likely choose to stay in the Battlefords after they graduate, to work here when they finish their studies.

As well, he said the partnership will benefit the region’s economic growth by attracting students and faculty to the local area.

University of Saskatchewan’s Richter also spoke of the benefits of the program.

“This is long process together,” she said of the work in developing the partnership with North West College. “No longer are students of North Battleford and the surrounding area restricted by geography. Today with this announcement they are able to complete their studies to become registered nurses [in their own community].”

Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill spoke on behalf of Saskatchewan Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant about the benefits of offering the program at North West College in the rural area.

“Today’s announcement represents a significant step forward for nurse training here in Saskatchewan, but specifically the Battlefords and surrounding area,” he said. “Students will be able to complete their entire Bachelor of Nursing program right here in the Battlefords.”

Cockrill said North West College has already shown success in the registered psychiatric nursing program through partnerships with other institutions, and this is one more program that will be a boon for the college and the community.

North West College Vice President of Academics, Priscilla Lothian, expressed the need to offer the program directly in the Battlefords.

“There is an urgent need to meet the growing demand for health professionals, and North West College along with our partners the University of Saskatchewan are answering the call.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow