Students seeking to find out more about occupations in healthcare gathered at St. Peter’s College on Wednesday, October 23. Rural Health Link has been hosted at the College for over a decade. The one-day event, the only one of its kind outside the major cities, provides an opportunity for students to experience a bit of what it's like to work in a variety of healthcare related fields.
The morning included the keynote speakers and sessions involving nursing and therapies. The nursing options included long term care, acute care, and community mental health.
Therapies streams included physical therapy, speech language pathology and recreational therapy.
During the lunch hour discussion session, students heard from Kelsey Wick from USask’s College of Nursing about the newly implemented 4-year nursing degree program available at St. Peter’s College.
“It gives everybody a chance to get their education in nursing while living at home or in a smaller setting,” explained Jordan Keller, student services officer with St. Peter’s College. “Each year we have students come out to study, some from Saskatoon. With smaller class sizes, you get a bit more personalized education.”
Also on hand from Carlton Trail College were Trisha Kurtenbach and Julie Hofmann talking about programs such as Emergency Medical Technician and Practical Nursing, available locally through their college. The programs offer a similar close to home and small class advantage at the various campuses Carlton Trail College operates.
After lunch students chose from careers in lab and imaging, and mental health and addictions. Among the options for lab and imaging were combined lab and X-ray, MRT and MLT.
On the mental health and addiction side students had a chance to examine addictions counseling, harm reduction health educator or social work.
Brent Loehr, career and graduation coach for the Horizon School Division, has long been attached to the project and talked about the event’s importance.
“It’s huge. Where else can you get all of these health professionals in one spot. We’re fortunate to have the rural version here in St. Peter’s which is such a great facility.”
Loehr said that a key for rural recruitment and retention is to have students learn where they live.
"While I don’t have any statistics, I think it is quite common for people to stay rooted in the place where they gain their education.” Loehr shared. “With the health care shortages in the rural area, it’s important for them to learn about these programs in their area, and they might stay here down the road.”
The Rural Health Link is supported by organizers and staff of the Saskatchewan Health Authority.