Health and Community Services
June 26, 2015
Recognizing Excellence in Health Care Education
Bachelor of Nursing Program Receives Gold Standard Accreditation
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Bachelor of Nursing Program, delivered by Eastern Health’s Centre for Nursing Studies, Western Health’s Regional School of Nursing and Memorial University’s School of Nursing, has achieved the seven-year Gold Standard accreditation status from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). CASN is the governing organization in Canada for nursing education.
“This is the third consecutive time the Bachelor of Nursing Program has received this prestigious designation. On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I would like to thank the administrators at the three schools of nursing, faculty, students and staff for their continued dedication to excellence in nursing education. Their efforts have a direct impact on our ability to deliver high-quality care to residents across the province, which remains our highest priority. We are very proud to have this standard of quality present in our nursing education facilities.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
Accreditation is a rigorous process that professional training schools must undergo periodically to ensure they are delivering a relevant curriculum and have resources and processes in place to prepare students for their professional roles. The three schools of nursing were assessed separately in February 2015 by CASN. Accreditors from CASN completed an intensive review of the Bachelor of Nursing Program, spending a considerable amount of time observing students in the classroom, laboratory and clinical settings, as well as meeting with faculty, staff, students and other key stakeholders. With this accreditation, CASN has recognized the quality of the education being offered and the calibre of students enrolled in the program.
“As a government, we continue to invest in supports and incentives for the recruitment and retention of registered nurses in our province. We recognize the value of supporting our health care professionals as they make their way through the highly accredited programs we have in our province on their way to rewarding careers on the front lines of our health care system.”
- Minister Kent
Budget 2015 includes a strategic investment of $1.2 million for grants, scholarships and bursaries for students, as well as signing bonuses to attract experienced registered nurses. Over 6,300 registered nurses are currently working in Newfoundland and Labrador, representing the second-highest per population ratio for registered nurses in the country.
QUICK FACTS
- Newfoundland and Labrador’s Bachelor of Nursing Program has achieved the seven-year Gold Standard accreditation status from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN).
- The program is offered by Eastern Health’s Centre for Nursing Studies, Western Health’s Regional School of Nursing and Memorial University’s School of Nursing.
- The three schools of nursing were assessed separately in February 2015 by CASN. With this accreditation, CASN has recognized the quality of the education being offered and the calibre of students enrolled in the program.
- Budget 2015 includes a strategic investment of $1.2 million for grants, scholarships and bursaries for students, as well as signing bonuses to attract experienced registered nurses.
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Media contact:
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Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca |
2015 06 26 2:20 p.m.