Submitted by RBC Foundation and South Country Health Care Foundation / Assiniboia Union Hospital
The RBC Foundation recently announced a $7,500 gift to Assiniboia Union Hospital to support nursing education.
“We at Assiniboia Union Hospital pride ourselves in ensuring our patients always receive the highest quality of care,” said Krista Borgerson, Health Services Manager, Assiniboia Union Hospital. “With donations like the one received from RBC, our nursing staff have opportunities to access some of the best training around and for that we are very grateful.”
One of the opportunities made possible by the gift is a full-day, hands-on course for nurses with the STARS Air Ambulance critical care team. The course will include simulation scenarios where the team can work through their care plans for critically ill patients that present through the emergency department.
“STARS air ambulance is a vital part of a patient’s circle of care in rural communities,” said Borgerson.
The gift, administered by the South Country Health Care Foundation, will also enable all nurses at the hospital to be trained in Advanced Care Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
The initiative is part of the RBC Foundation’s overall $6 million commitment this year for reskilling, upskilling and improving the resiliency of nurses and healthcare workers at Canadian hospitals across the country.
“As we navigate changing and emerging healthcare challenges, we at RBC believe that investing in the development and upskilling of nurses is critical to improving the quality of patient care and patient outcomes,” said Kim Ulmer, RBC Regional President. We’re honoured to continue to support our resilient and compassionate healthcare workers who take care of us in our deepest times of need.”
The show of support comes at a critical time. In February 2024, Statistics Canada reported that Canada’s healthcare workforce is struggling to keep up with demand, resulting in decreased access to primary care for patients. Monthly research from IPSOS also shows that healthcare is consistently one of the top concerns Canadians have for the country’s future.
Held in honour of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, National Nursing Week is designed to increase the awareness of the many contributions nursing makes to the well-being of Canadians. Nurses are Canada’s largest group of healthcare professionals, with 400,000 members. National Nursing Week runs from May 6-12.
