Sihtoskatowin (Supporting One Another)

Saskatoon, SK - Aboriginal students working toward a career in nursing are getting support from the Native Access Program to Nursing (NAPN.), a support and retention service for Aboriginal Nursing students enrolled in the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan, the Licensed Practical Nurse Program, Post-Registration Program and the Master's Program. The mandate of NAPN is success and excellence for Aboriginal Nursing students.

Students in the program, Shanna LaFramboise, third year and Sheila Gordon, second year talked to In Touch about the important role NAPN has played for them in their studies. Sheila, a mother of three, highlighted the support she received in the study groups. "It gave me a way to really focus my studying time away from the bustle of three children at home," she said.

As well as study groups, NAPN organizes specialized study sessions, guest speakers, sweats, and other services - all to support Aboriginal Nursing students. NAPN does advocacy on behalf of students in areas such as housing and childcare. They sit on advisory committees to make the needs of Aboriginal students known. They also recruited the first Aboriginal faculty member to the Nursing Education Program.
There are currently 37 first-year students and a total of 90 people in this program. Shanna felt that for her, the NAPN provides a community with shared experiences, a place to hang out, and a place to get advice. "The program also is helping me learn more about my own culture," she said.

As for the future, Sheila wants to get some hospital experience under her belt but eventually work in home care, likely in her home community. Shanna will stay in Saskatoon and specialize in acute care.

For more information please contact:
Native Access Program to Nursing
C/o College of Nursing
107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5
Phone: 1-800-463-3345 or (306) 933-5792
Fax: (306) 933-5572
Email: arnault@duke.usask.ca