The provincial government will invest $356,000 in the University of Prince Edward Island’s School of Nursing to support its new Accelerated Nursing Program, which will begin in January 2009.
The 14-seat accelerated program will be offered to students who already have a university degree with a minimum average of 75 per cent. Students will complete the requirements of the standard four-year nursing program in 24 months to receive a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
“This innovative program will expand nursing education capacity on the Island and increase the number of nursing graduates each year,” says Premier Robert Ghiz. “The program will provide enhanced training opportunities for students, and result in direct benefits for all Islanders by helping to increase the number of nurses in Prince Edward Island.”
Students in the program will be required to take the same nursing courses and have the same number of clinical hours as students in the standard four-year program.
“I’m extremely pleased our government is able to work with and support the UPEI School of Nursing in bringing this high-quality program to the Island,” said Health Minister Doug Currie. “Nurses play an essential role in the delivery of health care and this program is a key element in our overall strategy toward ensuring we have an adequate number of nurses in the provincial health care system.”
“Government is pleased to partner with UPEI to address the nursing shortage on Prince Edward Island,” said Richard Brown, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning. “This program is an important investment in learning that will improve the educational and career prospects of Islanders and it’s an important step to creating centres of excellence in our post-secondary institutions.”
The first fourteen students will begin the accelerated program in January 2009 and graduate in December 2010. Prince Edward Island can expect to gain an additional 14 graduates in 2010 and each year after that.
Funding from the province will be used by the School of Nursing for additional faculty positions and other human resource requirements to run the program.
Accelerated baccalaureate programs are intense, compressed programs with high standards and tend to attract mature students who have diverse work and educational backgrounds.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Accelerated Nursing Program
What is the Accelerated Nursing Program?
It is a new nursing program at the University of Prince Edward Island’s School of Nursing. It is an intense, compressed program in which students complete the requirements of the standard four-year nursing program in 24 months to receive a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
Accelerated baccalaureate programs tend to attract mature students who have diverse work and educational backgrounds.
When will the program start?
The first fourteen students will begin the accelerated program in January 2009 and graduate in December 2010.
How many students will be admitted?
This is a 14-seat program. After the first year, there will be a total of 28 students in the program at a time. Additionally, there are seven students in the regular program who will be given the option of bridging into the accelerated program in the second year. This will result in 21 new graduates in the first class of the accelerated program.
What are the benefits of this program?
• The program will expand nursing education capacity on the Island and increase the number of nursing graduates each year.
• It will help to address the nursing shortage in Prince Edward Island.
• The program is a key element in government’s overall strategy of ensuring there is an adequate number of nurses in the provincial health care system.
Who was involved in developing this program?
The University of Prince Edward Island and the provincial government are committed to working together in an effort to help address the nursing shortage. The faculty of the School of Nursing developed the program.
Will students in this program take less courses and receive less training than in the standard four-year program?
No. Students in this program will be required to take the same nursing courses and have the same number of clinical hours as students in the standard four-year program.
When can students apply?
Applications are now available through the registrar’s office at UPEI. The deadline for this year is May 30 and students will be notified of acceptance in June. In future years, the deadline will be February 15, as with the basic program applicants. Information and application forms are available through UPEI’s website or in the registrar’s office.
Who is eligible to apply?
The accelerated program will be offered to students who already have a university degree with a minimum average of 75 per cent. Students are also required to have completed courses in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, developmental psychology, introductory psychology and nutrition, statistics, English and another three electives.
What is the current seat capacity at Prince Edward Island School of Nursing?
There are 60 seats in the standard four-year nursing program. The Accelerated Nursing Program will increase the number of seats to 74 commencing in January, 2009.