Faculty of
Health Sciences

The demand for Registered Nurses is high. The shortage of health professionals is particularly evident in rural and First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) communities across Canada. These communities are in critical need for members to become nurses to address the health issues experienced among FNMI people and to provide appropriate health services within their communities.

An underpinning of the Faculty of Health Sciences curriculum is a renewed commitment to providing health care professionals who will serve FNMI communities into the future.

The Support Program for Aboriginal Nursing Students (SPANS) includes a one-year pre-nursing transition program to help FNMI students meet the entrance requirements for the Nursing Education in Southwestern Alberta (NESA) program. SPANS will provide sustained academic and personal support throughout the four-year Bachelor of Nursing program.

Support services and courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of FNMI students and to help students succeed in nursing education. SPANS has been funded by Health Canada (Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative [AHHRI]), Scotia Bank and Astra Zeneca. It is a collaborative partnership with the University of Lethbridge-Faculty of Health Sciences, Red Crow Community College, Blood Tribe Department of Health, Aakom-Kiyii Health Services (Piikani Nation), Siksika Health Services and the Blackfoot Confederacy.

The program has five major elements to help increase the success of FNMI students in the NESA program:

1) Pre-nursing program;
2) Incorporation of elders;
3) Mentorship program;
4) Social networking; and
5) Designated staffing and infrastructure

Upon successful completion of the B.N. program, the student is prepared to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) provided by the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA).

Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada

Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative