Virden to host Assiniboine rural rotating Practical Nursing program

In consultation with Prairie Mountain Health, Assiniboine Community College will offer a rural rotating site for its Practical Nursing diploma in Virden, Manitoba. The program will commence there starting in September 2022 with capacity for 25 students.

The Province of Manitoba announced in late 2021 an investment to increase capacity in nursing programs throughout Manitoba. This includes additional funding to Assiniboine for three new rural rotating sites and the expansion of the college’s Portage la Prairie nursing site to welcome 35 students each year.

“We know improving access to post-secondary education will better support sectors with high labour demands, such as our health care system,” said Jon Reyes, Minister of Advance Education, Skills and Immigration. “These additional nursing seats in Virden, offered through Assiniboine Community College, are helping us implement objectives from our Skills, Talent and Knowledge Strategy, and we look forward to seeing additional graduates ready to start work in the coming months.”

Previously, the college announced rural rotating sites in Arborg and Otterburne, also starting in September 2022, and Morden starting in January 2023.

“We’re looking forward to bringing our training to the Virden community, and appreciate the opportunity to partner with Prairie Mountain Health and the Town of Virden to make this happen. Our rural rotating offerings are an important part of our work to ensure we’re training nurses where they’re needed,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine. “There is a high demand for nurses across the province and rural rotating sites make the training to step into these important roles more accessible in all regions of the province.”

The Town of Virden has contributed $70,000 to the site, which will be used toward necessary renovations of the space.

“Training nurses close to home allows them to learn in a familiar environment and have the opportunity to learn about and apply for jobs in their community upon graduation,” said Brian Schoonbaert CEO of Prairie Mountain Health. “It also helps meet the high demand for nurses in Prairie Mountain Health Regional Health Authority. We are pleased to work with Assiniboine to offer learners in our health region this opportunity.”

Applications to the Virden site are open until May 23, 2022. All qualified applications received within that window will be assessed for admission. Priority will be given to those living in a rural community within 100 km of Virden.

In addition to rural rotating sites, the college has permanent Practical Nursing programs at its campuses 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 2019-20 academic year said they had jobs, making on average more than $53,000 a year.

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