On May 21, students, alumni and faculty in the School of Nursing and PSW gathered at the Welland Campus to showcase the work of Personal Support Worker (PSW) and the program at Niagara College.
Students and alumni were on-hand all morning to answer questions about this in-demand field. Through a prize draw and raffle, PSW students raised $500 in support of March of Dimes, Canada’s non-profit housing corporation.
In celebration of #PersonalSupportWorkerDay our NC PSW students helped raise $500 for the @modcanada! Check out the photos below to see how these #PSWstrong students made a difference today!✨👩🏻⚕️👀 #myNCstory #NiagaraCollege pic.twitter.com/20qVXdsqdi
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) May 21, 2019
March of Dimes supports a few NC students annually during their two- to three-week placements for consolidation, part of the requirements for the certificate program. Since 1992, March of Dimes has been working to develop and promote affordable supportive housing for people with physical disabilities.
Megan Thomas and Tessa Noyes from March of Dimes were presented with a cheque on behalf of NC students.
Megan Thomas and Tessa Noyes from March of Dimes attend PSW Appreciation Day at Niagara College.
“March of Dimes has been working with NC’s PSW program for twenty years. We’re thankful for our partnership and glad we’re able to continue it. As a non-profit, we’re really grateful to be chosen to receive this donation,” said Thomas. “Funds raised will go towards programs that would not otherwise be funded.”
DesignAbility is one such March of Dimes program that funds will support. Through the program, volunteer tradespeople design and create solutions for consumers who pay only for the raw material. Aids can include a custom cup holder for a wheelchair or a specialty ramp for accessibility; modifications to everyday challenges faced by people living with mobility issues.
PSW’s are the front-line of health care in Ontario, providing direct care to elderly or people who are suffering from illness or injury in a variety of settings. From work in group homes, home-care agencies, seniors residences, acute-care hospitals and more, job opportunities for PSW grads are plenty in the Niagara Region.
PSW student Stormy shows off all of the raffle prizes.
“PSW’s have an important role to play in the lives of people in Niagara, and today’s event highlighted the impact our students have in the community,” said Alison Cousineau, professor and program coordinator in the PSW program. “Employers tell us that there is a real demand for PSW’s in the region, and many of our students have job offers before they graduate.”
“Niagara is in need of PSW’s, it’s a crisis,” said Noyes.
Students enrolled in the one-year PSW program at NC graduate with an Ontario College Certificate. The program blends inter-professional education designed to strengthen students’ collaboration skills as members of the health care team. Students complete 42 hours of hands-on experience in NC’s lab facilities, as well as 266 hours of clinical placement in both long-term care and community settings. Once they graduate, students have the option to bridge into NC’s Practical Nursing diploma programs, or pursue employment in the field.
