Applications open for Assiniboine’s Practical Nursing site in Neepawa.

Assiniboine Community College has opened applications for a Practical Nursing program in Neepawa. The program will start in January 2024 with space for 25 students.

Last month, the Province of Manitoba announced a $2.1 million investment into the one-time rural training site for Practical Nursing.

“Nursing is our single largest program and our rural sites provide opportunities to learners close to home. Providing access to training across the province to meet provincial and regional needs is central to our mission,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine. “Neepawa is a growing community with growing needs in healthcare. We look forward to working with the community, province and health region to help to meet that need.”

The community will host an information session on March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Neepawa Legion. Representatives from the college will present at the session and be on-site with information about the program, admission requirements and applications.

Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis, with those living within 100 km of Neepawa and/or within the Prairie Mountain Health region given priority.

“This is an important and truly exciting announcement for ACC and the town of Neepawa,” said Sarah Guillemard, Minister for Advanced Education and Training. “With applications now open for the rotating rural nursing site, it builds on our government’s commitment in aligning Manitoba’s education and skills training systems to help meet the need for nurse training in Manitoba. I look forward to seeing the continued success of this program across the province for years to come.”

In addition to this site, the college hosts four rural rotating Practical Nursing sites each year and has permanent Practical Nursing programs in Brandon, Winnipeg, Dauphin and Portage la Prairie.

The demand for Assiniboine nursing graduates continues to be high; 100 per cent of practical nursing graduates surveyed from the 2021-22 academic year said they had jobs, making on average more than $57,000 a year.

Important updates, information, and checklists for prospective applicants are available at assiniboine.net/nursing.