Whatever type of nursing career students want, Red Deer Polytechnic has the program to help them reach their goals.
New this year is an opportunity to take exams and technical skill assessments to recognize prior learning and receive credit for a portion of the practical nurse program.
"We really created this innovative, accelerated pathway for people who have experience in health care in previous parts of their life," said Heather Dirks, acting Dean of RDP’s School of Health and Wellness,
RDP continues to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, in collaboration with the University of Alberta; a Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program; and a Practical Nurse program.
Dirks said wait lists for the programs continue to grow.
"All of our programs are in demand. There are lots of learners wanting to come here because we are recognized across Alberta and Canada."
She said the Practical Nurse program is also trying to meet the needs of rural communities with labs and clinical sites for students in Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House, Stettler and Drumheller through a partnership with Campus Central Alberta.
Recently, the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) announced a record number of nurses renewed their permits for the second consecutive year.
Dirks said RDP's ultimate goal is to help fill the high demand for nurses in Alberta.
A total of 44,798 CRNA registrants renewed their permits for the 2024-25 practice year, 11 per cent more than in 2023-24.
"This milestone highlights CRNA's dedication to ensuring Alberta’s nursing professionals can continue providing safe, competent, and compassionate care. With this growth, our healthcare system will continue to be strengthened, and we look forward to ongoing collaboration with CRNA to support this critical work," said Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, in a statement.
This year 5,432 registrants moved to the non-practising register who can return to practice at any time. Another 2,429 registrants did not renew their permits nor move to the non-practising register.
Recent graduates, transfers from other Canadian and international jurisdictions, and those who choose to return to practice after taking a leave can also join the registry during the year.
On Thursday, 75.23 per cent of the more than 30,000 United Nurses of Alberta members that come under Provincial Collective Agreement and members from 100 per cent of the affected locals voted to reject a Mediator’s Recommendation for a new Provincial Collective Agreement.
Of the total voting members, more than 61 per cent voted no, while just under 39 per cent voted yes. The Mediator’s Recommendations are therefore rejected.
