Edna Edwards School of Nursing
The Edna Edwards School of Nursing is the lead trainer of Practical Nurses in Manitoba and Canada, preparing students for rewarding careers through hands-on learning, with experienced faculty and strong partnerships with healthcare providers throughout the province.
Students benefit from modern simulation labs, clinical placements and community-based learning opportunities that reflect the realities of today's healthcare system. Whether studying at one of our permanent campuses or in a rural rotating site, learners gain the practical skills and confidence needed to make a meaningful impact in hospitals, personal care homes and communities across Manitoba.
Preparing Manitoba's next generation of healthcare professionals.
From practical nursing to healthcare aide education, the Edna Edwards School of Nursing equips students with the knowledge, hands-on experience and confidence to provide exceptional care in communities across Manitoba.
372 | |
Future healthcare professionals who graduated in 2025-26 | |
194 | 178 |
Practical Nursing grads | Comprehensive Health Care Aide grads |
Honouring Edna Edwards
The Edna Edwards School of Nursing is named in honour of the late Edna Edwards, whose lifelong commitment to healthcare, education and service continues to inspire future generations of nurses.
Edna's connection to Assiniboine began in the 1950s when she trained as a psychiatric nurse at the Brandon Mental Health Centre, now Assiniboine's historic North Hill campus. She later returned to school to become a registered nurse and spent much of her career caring for patients while raising her family and supporting healthcare initiatives across Manitoba.
In 2026, Russ Edward and family announced a transformational $4 million gift toward the Edna Edwards School of Nursing. Their generosity will enhance student learning experiences, expand research opportunities and provide financial support for students pursuing the pathway to obtain their degree to bridge from LPN to RN.
Edna’s life and legacy represent much of our vision for the School of Nursing in supporting students and the healthcare sector across the province,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine College. “It’s a great honour to acknowledge Edna’s background in nursing and her passion for healthcare and education, inspired by her own career journey, with the Edna Edwards School of Nursing.
Programs
The Edna Edwards School of Nursing offers programs that prepare students for careers across Manitoba's healthcare system.
Practical Nursing
Become a licensed practical nurse through Assiniboine's two-year diploma program. Students develop the knowledge, clinical skills and professional experience needed to provide compassionate nursing care in hospitals, personal care homes and community healthcare settings.
Available at:
- Victoria Avenue East Campus
- Winnipeg Campus
- Parkland Campus
- Portage Campus
- Rural rotating sites
Practical Nursing Bridging
Designed for licensed practical nurses who want to continue their education, Assiniboine is developing an Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing bridging pathway that will provide flexible, part-time, and distance-learning opportunities while allowing nurses to continue working.
Comprehensive Health Care Aide
Prepare for a rewarding career supporting patients and healthcare teams through classroom instruction, hands-on practice and clinical experience.
Already working as an uncertified Health Care Aide?
You may be eligible to earn your Comprehensive Health Care Aide (CHCA) certificate through Assiniboine's CHCA challenge process.
If you're currently employed in a qualifying health care setting and have completed 300 clinical hours in the past 12 months, you could qualify.
Learn more about eligibility, requirements and how to apply at assiniboine.net/chcachallenge.
Nursing Foot Care
Develop specialized knowledge and practical skills in foot care for clients across a variety of healthcare settings.
Explore additional health care-related programs, including Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) and Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology (CLXT). While these programs are not part of the Edna Edwards School of Nursing, they play an important and complementary role in Manitoba’s health care system, preparing graduates for essential diagnostic and laboratory careers that support patient care and health outcomes.
Medical Laboratory Technology Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology
Training Across Manitoba
One of the things that sets Assiniboine apart is our commitment to delivering healthcare education where it's needed most.
The Edna Edwards School of Nursing offers programs throughout Manitoba.
- Victoria Avenue East Campus (Brandon)
- Winnipeg Campus
- Parkland Campus (Dauphin)
- Portage Campus
- Rural Rotating Sites
In addition to our permanent campuses, Assiniboine delivers Practical Nursing through rural rotating and community-based sites across Manitoba. Every two years, new training locations are announced to help students study closer to home while supporting the healthcare needs of rural and northern communities.
Each rural rotating site welcomes up to 25 students, with admission priority given to applicants who live within the surrounding health region or within approximately 100 kilometres of the training location.
Learning by Doing
Students build confidence through extensive hands-on learning in modern simulation labs before entering clinical placements.
Using advanced Human Patient Simulation mannequins, students experience realistic healthcare scenarios in a safe, supportive environment. The simulation labs allow learners to practise clinical decision-making, medication administration, patient assessments and emergency response while receiving immediate feedback from instructors.
From routine patient care to complex medical situations, simulation-based learning helps students develop confidence and clinical judgement before caring for patients in real healthcare settings.