The program is part of a new initiative, Research to Action: Applied Workplace Solutions for Nurses, being undertaken by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) with funding from Health Canada, to improve recruitment and retention strategies through projects in nine provinces across Canada.

Here on the Island, a Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Program will be designed to provide opportunities for both new and experienced nurses to expand critical care skills and enhance patient care.

“I’m very pleased with our government’s investment and to be part of this partnership to provide Island nurses with a high-quality professional development opportunity in the area of critical care,” says Health Minister, Doug Currie. “Nurses play a key role in health care delivery, and continuing education and training opportunities are essential to the creation of a robust nursing workforce. This project will also help to ensure we can retain and recruit qualified critical care nurses in the province.”

Planning work for the program, which will consist of both classroom and clinical experience, has already begun and the first class is expected to start in Fall 2009.

“We are delighted to support this professional development program and to be part of this collaborative project,” says dean of the UPEI School of Nursing, Dr. Kim Critchley. “The UPEI School of Nursing is committed to providing quality educational opportunities to practising nurses on Prince Edward Island.”

“The team work between the project partners shows how nurses unions, health care employers and governments can work together to improve retention and recruitment efforts,” says Barbara Brookins, president of the PEI Nurses Union. “By creating this supportive environment, everyone benefits from the increased quality of care.”

Total funding for the Prince Edward Island project is $948,000, including contributions from Health Canada, the PEI Department of Health, the University of Prince Edward Island School of Nursing and the PEI Nurses Union.