New Bachelor of Nursing Program joining Portage College

Portage College updates the town on its successes and partnership with the University of Calgary. 

During Monday’s St. Paul town council meeting, Nancy Broadbent, President and CEO of Portage College, said they are partnering with the University of Calgary’s Bachelor of Nursing Program.

The program’s courses will start in January at the St. Paul Campus. 

“We had 50 students show up for nine slots at the open house. We also are doing the International Bridge to Canadian secondaries,” said Nancy Broadbent. 

“So hopefully that will help us to partner to bring more health professionals to the St. Paul area.” 

Portage is offering the program to give nine Licensed Practical Nurses the opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Nursing degree without having to relocate to Calgary. 

It will be a 28-month program for learners who meet the entrance requirements to improve their credentials and advance their careers in the healthcare system.

Students will be doing hands-on training, clinical experience with Alberta Health Services, skills labs that are held at Portage College, and theory classes that are online. 

The Town has been struggling in keeping the ER and OR open. Students who are taking the program will be working within the facilities during their 28-month timeframe, and Mayor Maureen Miller says that it is a boost to filling those positions. 

“This is one of those partnerships that will take time, but we have to start somewhere,” said Miller. 

“So we’re looking at the end game and I think this is a great partnership for success, nine students it is built for success.”

Enrolment up

Portage College is working to get the Culinary arts program and the nursing program to be recognized by the Canadian Armed Forces. This will allow students to transfer both into the Armed Forces and back into civilian life. 

This year’s student enrolment went up 40 percent. This is the highest it has been in 33 years, making all programs filled at the Portage College in St. Paul. 

Portage College is also offering dual credit to high school students. 

Students enrolled in high school can also take courses that are at a post-secondary level. Nancy Broadbent said that this will give students more of an advanced standing in post-secondary courses, or they can take a course that doesn’t fill into a post-secondary program. 

“There’s everything from Computer Sciences type programs, the newest ones that we’re going to do this fall is one that’s called health educator and that is a full course. Equivalent in both the nursing and paramedic program,” said Broadbent.