After 49 weeks of classroom studies, practical work experience and late-night cramming for tests, the finish line is in sight for the College of New Caledonia's practical nursing class of 2012.
Twenty-four females and one male will mark their graduation from the program at Friday's 2 p.m. convocation ceremony at the CNC atrium, and already they've stirred up interest on the labour front.
"The majority of our students have already been requested to interview for potential employment at University Hospital of Northern B.C.," said Jacquie Scobie, CNC's practical nurse program lead and faculty member. "We continue to see significant casual employment in many sites and facilities across the Northern Health region.
"While casual employment is not necessarily what each grad is looking for, it does allow them to get their foot in the door and contribute to the quality care being delivery in our health care facilities. Permanent employment follows experience and opportunity."
This, the 11th year of the program, is the last year CNC will offer a one-year practical nursing program. It will become a two-year program to reflect changes to the provincial curriculum and the requirement of the Canadian practical nurse registration exam.
This year's class, made up of students aged 18 to 50, has just completed practicums at Northern Health facilities in the city as well as in Vanderhoof, Burns Lake and Prince Rupert. The students write their final exam on Sept. 12.
The new crop of 20 practical nursing students begins classes on Sept. 4.
