Drumheller’s Hope College has taken a big step forward in reaching its goal of becoming the college of choice for aspiring nurses.
On June 14, Hope College announced it has brokered a deal with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) to offer a full-scope practical nursing program beginning in September 2014.
“It’s a step we always wanted to get to take and we’re glad it’ll be coming down the pipe pretty quick,” said Jon Ohlhauser, president of Hope College. “Over the past several months we have done a significant amount of research and conversation about how best to offer students an educational program that leads to a Practical Nursing designation. We are thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to consider brokering our first program in this discipline with SIAST.”
Dr. Jon Ohlhauser, president of Hope College, will be busy developing five new programs for the fall of 2014, including a Licensed Practical Nursing Program. The focus of the college has been to develop health care programs and the nursing program is the first to be announced for the new school.
Hope College is aiming for 14 students when the program launches in 2014. Should interest go beyond that, the class size can be increased further.
The program provides an opportunity to be a licensed nurse, initially, in Saskatchewan. Student can then apply to get their licences recognized in Alberta.
As Hope College, becomes more familiar with the program, a more rural perspective can be given to the program.
There are also four other programs being worked on for the 2014 school year.
“We’re working on four other programs. One is a massage therapy program and we’re working closely with massage therapists in town. We have one we’re calling exercise and wellness, which is a personal trainer. There’s one in nutrition. The last one is more in the naturopathic care and it’s a registered herbalist,” said Ohlhauser.
Until then, Hope College will continue to develop and refine each program.
“All of the details related to specific program content, scheduling and student costs will need to be finalized with SIAST but we are very confident that students will find this program as a highly attractive option,” said Dr. Ohlhauser. “We’re excited. With the health care programs we’re going in the direction we need to be.”
