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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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VICTORIA – Government is adding a further $3.5 million to its nursing strategy to continue to strengthen recruitment, retention and education of nurses across British Columbia, Minister of Health Services Colin Hansen said today.
“Not only will we be continuing our most successful initiatives from 2003/04, but we’re also introducing new initiatives that will ensure our nurses have the tools they need to continue to make a difference for patients, every hour of every day,” said Hansen. “Since 2001, we’ve funded almost 2,000 new nurse training spaces, and thousands of nurses have benefited from our investments in return-to-work, continuing education and loan forgiveness programs.”
The Ministry of Advanced Education has funded 1,813 additional nursing seats in BC educational institutions since August of 2001. This year, an additional 321 seats will be added, bringing the total number of new nursing seats to 2,134.
“The growing number of nurses and nursing students in British Columbia will ensure stability within this profession for years to come,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Advanced Education. “Our first group of nurse practitioners will graduate in May of 2005, and we know they will add another level of care to this already strong and caring group of health professionals.”
Since August 2001, government’s total commitment to nursing strategies has grown to $62.5 million. More than 5,000 nurses have benefited from continuing education or study specializations such as intensive care, labour and delivery, mental health, emergency room and surgery. This success has resulted in new education and mentorship initiatives in community health, mental health and long-term care.
This year’s $3.5 million in funding builds on the successes of the last three years as well as addressing new areas of need. Funding this year will go towards: · Aboriginal Nursing Strategies · Plans for Implementing Nurse Practitioners · Implementing Canadian Nursing Advisory Committee recommendations · Specialty and Continuing Education · Recruitment of non-practising registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and licensed practical nurses · Nursing practice council grants · Mentorship/Preceptorship funds · Upgrading education for licensed practiced nurses · Special projects -30-
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