Over $5 million is going to the Anishinabek Educational Institute to increase enrolment in its nursing and personal support worker (PSW) programs over the next four years.
The money will help the Institute expand and create programs and support additional lab and classroom space, hospital beds, simulation manikins and patient lifts.
“We can bring in extra teachers as needed and extra space,” says James Marsden, Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief. “We’ve seen our classroom move into our Elder’s Lodge where the Elders would meet and discuss, now there are manikins laying in beds in there. It’s going to be welcomed to have that extra space.”
He’s hopeful this funding will enable and encourage First Nation students to pursue healthcare careers.
Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, says the funding supports specialized training close to home.
“There’s a lot of cultural training that goes into it as well,” he says. “There are some culturally sensitive areas so it’s really important that Indigenous nurses and PSWs are trained in a setting unique to them.”
The funding will support the training of about 100 practical nurses and 30 PSWs over the next four years.
