September 26, 2003

Health Minister Dave Chomiak today congratulated 67 students who have completed training in the Accelerated Nursing Diploma Program at Red River College.

"Nurses touch so many people and, through their caring and compassion, make our communities better places to live," said Chomiak. "I’m pleased with the success of Red River College’s accelerated program and I'm delighted to congratulate all the graduates."

More than 600 nursing students are expected to graduate in Manitoba this year. The ratio of registered nurses to population in Manitoba remains higher than the national average and recent statistics indicate that over 90 per cent of the nurses who are graduating stay and work in Manitoba.

Chomiak noted the importance of nurses to improving the province’s health care delivery system and referred to the Manitoba Nursing Strategy released in March 2000 which included a number of initiatives to support nurses, such as:

• initiatives to improve working conditions and respect for nurses;
• a $700,000 Nursing Security and Safety Fund; and
• significant investments to train and recruit new nurses to meet provincial needs.

"Nursing programs are key to providing nurses for our hospitals and the Accelerated Nursing Diploma Program is helping fill an important need on the front lines of patient care," said Chomiak.

The 67 students who have completed the program will now prepare for national registered nursing examinations scheduled for October.

The enhanced Accelerated Nursing Diploma Program was first introduced in September 2000, replacing a similar program cancelled in 1998.

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