Elementary school students enrolled in Trent University’s mini enrichment camp for Nursing were visited today by The Honourable George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Jeff Leal, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, to discuss the importance of a University education and potential careers in Nursing.

The visit was a part of the province-wide Nursing Week celebrations occurring at universities, colleges, hospitals and long-term care centres across the province.

The mini enrichment camp is organized by Trent’s Nursing department and is dedicated to introducing Grade 7 and 8 students to a variety of courses that promote study at the post secondary education level and different career options in the health care system.

“The idea of a camp about nursing for young teenagers is terrific,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “This kind of experience provides youth the opportunity to begin thinking about what they are going to do for the rest of their professional lives. And a career in nursing is rewarding, meaningful and makes a real difference in people’s lives.”

"I applaud Trent University for providing opportunities for enrichment camp participants to learn about the Nursing profession," said MPP Jeff Leal. "The Nursing program at Trent presents outstanding career opportunities, and should be an important consideration for students exploring potential professions."

“We are very grateful that Minister Smitherman and Mr. Leal could join us during Nursing Week to celebrate the contributions that the Nursing profession make to our health care system,” said Wendy Fucile, Acting Director of the Nursing department and President of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. “Trent’s mini enrichment camp provides a special opportunity to showcase the University’s academic environment to prospective students and introduce them to different facets of a potential career in Nursing.”

During the visit, three awards were presented to acknowledge the contributions of individuals to the Nursing program and the academic achievements of students. Deb HannahBull received the inaugural Outstanding Preceptor Award which is given to a nurse who has demonstrated excellence in supporting individual nursing students or groups of students as they progress to become novice nurses. Theresa Wopereis was awarded the Janet Bews Scholarship for academic merit and her demonstrated interest in a career providing nursing care for persons with dementia. Lauren Patterson received the Canadian Nurses’ Association Award which is a one time award in honour of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Nurses Association to a nursing student who demonstrates excellence in practice and leadership.

The Trent/Fleming School of Nursing offers an integrated, collaborative four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.N.) Degree. Trent also offers a compressed program for students with sufficient university credits to fast track through the program in three years. The program has a science base in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, pathophysiology and research methods. Theoretical courses provide the foundation for the study of concepts underlying the art and science of nursing as a profession, leadership and political action.

In February 2008, the provincial government announced $9.8-million in funding to construct a new Health Sciences facility at Trent University to serve as a home for Trent's Nursing, Psychology and Anthropology programs. This investment will strategically position the University to take advantage of emerging program opportunities in the growing health care field.