First year of rural community nursing program begins in Drayton Valley

Nine students from the Drayton Valley area are set to commence their studies and gain hands-on training on their way to obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, all without having to leave their home community.

Offered for the first time in Drayton Valley this year, the program builds on the successes of Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary in Wainwright, where the rural nursing degree program was launched in 2021.  

“I am thrilled to see this program launch in Drayton Valley,” says Andrew Boitchenko, MLA for Drayton Valley-Devon. “This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in a future in health care to be able to learn close to home, and a chance for them to experience first-hand all that rural health care has to offer.”

• Photo above: Students of the new BScN program at Drayton Valley join Drayton Valley-Devon MLA Andrew Boitchenko, Drayton Valley Mayor Nancy Dodds, UCalgary Nursing’s Dr. Heather Bensler and Dr. Catherine Laing, and representatives from Brazeau County, Drayton Valley Community Health Foundation and Alberta Health Services at a celebration of the program’s launch Aug. 27.

Kelsey Letendre, a local licensed practical nurse at the Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre, is among the first cohort of students. The opportunity to further her education without having to leave for the city is one she has embraced. 

“Having this program available in smaller, rural communities not only makes the degree much more accessible, but gives students the supports of home,” says Letendre. “I grew up here, I’ve been working here for 10 years now, and knowing I’ve got the support of my family, from my coworkers and from my manager at the hospital all right here with me has made it easier to take this next step in my career."

“I’m really looking forward to growing as a nurse and continuing to help care for my community for years to come.”

For AHS, the opportunity to collaborate with partners to grow local talent supports not only students, but the future of rural health care as well. 

“We do face challenges in recruiting nursing staff to rural sites,” says Janice Stewart, chief zone officer with AHS central zone. “By creating opportunities to educate registered nurses in their home communities, we are building capacity for a local, more sustainable workforce into the future.

“That is good news for our rural hospitals, and for patients and families in the community.”

The program was developed as a way of reducing barriers to learning, recruiting students to health-care careers, and encouraging graduates to stay in their home communities. 

Students of the Drayton Valley program will take part in both in-person and virtual learning opportunities, gaining valuable skills and hands-on experience from instructors and seasoned nurses along the way. New educational spaces have been established in collaboration with the Town of Drayton Valley, a key partner in getting the program launched in the community. 

“Having supportive community partners is integral to our ability to provide an excellent academic and clinical experience for students,” says Dr. Catherine Laing, interim dean of the Faculty of Nursing at UCalgary.

“We are grateful to work with partners who have an important stake in ensuring we are meeting the health-care needs of our communities across Alberta.”

For the Town of Drayton Valley, supporting the program aligns with ongoing work to support local health care. 

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the first cohort of nursing students to Drayton Valley as part of this groundbreaking rural community nursing program,” says Mayor Nancy Dodds. 

“This is an incredible opportunity for our local students to pursue their passion for health care right here in Drayton Valley. Not only does this program make a nursing degree more accessible, but it also strengthens our commitment to building a sustainable health-care workforce in rural Alberta. 

“We are excited to support these students on their journey and to see the positive impact they will have on our community for years to come."

The Drayton Valley program will run for two cohorts of students, with intakes in 2024 and 2025, with the goal of preparing 18 nursing graduates. Students will have the option to complete their final preceptorships in a compressed timeline to graduate in 2027 or can opt for a more traditional program timeline which would see them graduate in 2028.