Ontario’s Minister of Long-term Care delivered a special message to nursing and personal support students on a recent visit to the College’s Applied Health Institute:
“We’re hiring!”
Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta underlined the urgent need for more nurses and personal support workers in long-term care as she spoke to students, faculty and administrators on October 9. The purpose of her visit was to learn more about how the College’s nursing and PSW programs support the long-term care sector.
A politician as well as a nurse, Kusendova-Bashta got a close look at how the use of immersive virtual reality and high-fidelity simulation equipment – which closely mimics real life patient scenarios – enhances student learning within NC’s School of Nursing and PSW.
Vice President Academic Fiona Allan, Dean of Health Sciences Sinead McElhone, and Associate Dean of School of Nursing and PSW Studies Courtney Evers led the Minister through nursing and PSW labs, accompanied by Sarah McGeown, Associate Director, of International Nursing Graduate Studies and Clinical Education, Mabel Watt, Director, of Government Relations, and Sarah Scott, Community Relations and Events Specialist.
“I do think that the Minister’s conversation with our students really showed that she’s very passionate about bringing people into long-term care and the staffing of long-term care,” said Allan.
Allan also highlighted the Minister’s interest in learning about dementia training for students at NC during the visit.
“Here at NC, we have dementia care programing that we incorporate into our interprofessional practice that’s very aligned with the minister’s thinking about dementia care,” Allan said.
“We were thrilled to have the Honourable Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-term Care visit our state-of-the-art nursing laboratories/teaching facilities here at Niagara College,” said McElhone.
“She was extremely enthusiastic and passionate about long-term care and this was obvious in all her conversations with the students, PSW and nursing staff. Her depth and breadth of knowledge around long-term care in Ontario was evident.”
“It was an honour to host Minister Kusendova-Bashta and to showcase our incredible students, team, and learning environments. With her nursing background, Minister Kusendova-Bashta took the time to speak to our Practical Nursing students, and hear about their nursing goals and experiences,” said Evers.
Evers noted that the Minister’s passion for nursing and for quality care for those in long-term care was inspiring.
“Our team was honoured to show the Minister how we are preparing exceptional future nurses and personal support workers for healthcare careers, including in long-term care.”
The Minister’s visit was on the heels of NC’s first cohort of students in the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program beginning their studies this fall.
College administrators welcome the Minister of Long-term Care to the Applied Health Institute (from left): Mabel Watt (Director, Government Relations), Fiona Allan (VP Academic), Natalia Kusendova-Bashta (Minister of Long-term Care), Courtney Evers (Associate Dean, School of Nursing and PSW Studies), Sinead McElhone (Dean, Health Sciences), and Sarah McGeown (Associate Director, International Nursing Graduate Studies and Clinical Education).
Courtney Evers (Associate Dean of School of Nursing and PSW Studies) walks Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta through a simulation lab where Practical Nursing students gain practice on high-fidelity simulation equipment.
Practical Nursing students demonstrate how they use virtual reality to practice patient scenarios as the Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta and College administrators look on.
