Saskatchewan needs a two-provider model for nursing education
Saskatchewan has a two-provider model for nursing education that demonstrates the power and efficiencies timely collaboration creates for our province’s rural and urban centres.
Prospective nursing students can access a degree program at the University of Saskatchewan (BSN), or one offered collaboratively by Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina (SCBScN). Each program has the capacity for 345 nursing education seats annually.
This unique two-provider model has created a number of benefits for Saskatchewan students and communities. Each has distinctive characteristics, from varying entrance requirements (for example, direct entry from high school or following one year of University), to rural education opportunities and completion timelines.
Aside from the ongoing significant demand for access to both programs, having two programs offers program flexibility that offers more choice for students in terms of career pathways and timelines. Two programs allow multiple graduation points throughout the year rather than one, which is ideal for feeding into the health care system during different periods of the year.
Both programs provide education pathways for Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses who wish to consider pursing their nursing degree and RN registration. Collaborative efforts between U of S and U of R/SaskPoly have resulted in more program flexibility through a second degree or “after-degree” options for students, allowing those with a degree to specialize and gain additional skills that will ultimately benefit patient care.
The University of Saskatchewan’s BSN is available in six sites across the province, including Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Yorkton, La Ronge and Ile-a-la-Crosse. Saskatchewan Polytechnic and University of Regina’s SCBScN is available in Saskatoon and Regina, with local intakes in Swift Current and North Battleford where students can return to complete their final year of studies. Under the two provider model, nursing programs in Saskatchewan are ensuring that nursing education is accessible in rural and smaller urban communities.
Nursing education in Saskatchewan is of exceptional high quality. Both programs go through a rigorous external review process and are accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, and approved by the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association. Nursing students take part in a significant number of clinical practice hours, resulting in better patient safety after graduation.
Saskatchewan has the highest number of Indigenous students in nursing and the most extensive distributive nursing education initiatives in the history of the province. Nursing education providers in Saskatchewan are committed to fulfilling the Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Both programs offer support services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students, and each designates more than 50 seats annually for these students. The proportion of the Saskatchewan registered nurse workforce identifying as Indigenous increased from 6.1 per cent to 7 per cent between the 2011 and 2016 census periods, almost double the 3.7 per cent for non-nursing health professions in the same time period. Under the two-provider model, there are more Indigenous nursing students and graduates in the province than ever before.
Nurses are the backbone of the health care system. Saskatchewan’s two-provider model of nursing education provides accessibility, sustainability and quality to ensure a stable supply of Registered Nurses, today and in the future.