Being a Registered Nurse in Saskatchewan
No matter what your career goals are; the town, city, or country you want to work; what you’re passionate about; or the work life balance you need; there’s a place for everyone in nursing.
Lydia Francis (BSN’20) is a registered nurse (RN) in Prince Albert (PA) and wouldn’t change it for anything.
“As a registered nurse, the opportunities are endless,” said Francis.
Francis completed her University of Saskatchewan (USask) nursing degree in April 2020, worked as a graduate nurse before passing her national licensing exam in May 2020, and from there, she started her career as a full-time registered nurse.
“I have worked on a medical floor, at a COVID testing site, taught nursing students, was part of a medical mission trip to South America, and I currently work in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Victoria Hospital,” said Francis.
She chose USask College of Nursing to complete her degree because the full Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program was offered in Prince Albert.
“I liked the idea of a smaller campus where instructors get to know you, small classes to build relationships with classmates, and an affordable university degree, since I didn’t have to move.”
Since 2012, USask College of Nursing has been offering the BSN program at various locations throughout Saskatchewan, including USask campuses in Saskatoon and Prince Albert and distributed nursing sites in La Ronge, Île-à-la-Crosse, Yorkton, and Lloydminster.
Starting this September, the program will be offered in North Battleford and Muenster and starting in fall 2025, Swift Current and Weyburn.
By offering the BSN program at a distributed nursing site in North Battleford for example, USask College of Nursing is giving students in North Battleford and surrounding area the opportunity to learn where they live. When students complete their nursing education in the community, they will likely practice there afterwards once they become licensed, helping to fill unmet registered nursing workforce needs in northwest Saskatchewan.