Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover advised today that an additional 15 students are participating in the Health Care Futures Program. The program was first introduced in June 1999 as an eight-week summer employment initiative for ninety Prince Edward Island students interested in pursuing future careers in the health care sector.
"We are pleased with the overwhelming response to the program which was expanded to accommodate the many Island students with experience and interest in the health care sector," said Dover.
"It is important to provide positive, meaningful work experiences to encourage many youth to consider careers in the health sector."
Students from across Prince Edward Island began their summer work placements in July and are working in a variety of settings including hospitals and government long-term care facilities.
Students are being exposed to the health care field in a variety of ways. Several students are observing health care professionals at work through job shadowing and mentoring while others are enhancing the comfort of patients and residents or assisting with summer social and recreational activities.
"Health Care Futures has given me a great opportunity and is helping me make decisions about what I want to do in the future," says Jennifer Holland, a summer student working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital . "I enjoy the opportunity to interact one-on-one with patients, something which has made me very interested in pursuing a career in nursing."
Don Gorveatt, Manager of the Prince Edward Home said that the program has allowed them to provide more summer activities for residents. "It is much more vibrant around here and we are very impressed by both the quality of students and their enthusiasm," he said.
"We have been able to expose students to a number of areas in the facility to allow them to fully experience what is involved in long-term care."
"Health care staff across PEI are to be commended for their commitment to the program" said Dover. "Staff have created positive and supportive learning environments and are investing time in directing and coordinating the daily job duties of students."
"Given the success and interest in Health Care Futures greater numbers of Island students will now have positive experiences to reflect on when considering a career in the health sector," she said.