Local nurse training plan forges ahead A PLAN to establish a registered nursing program in Terrace will be going to the provincial government for financial approval this fall, says an official working on the project, Proposed is a plan to train 16 people at a time with Northwest Community College (NWCC) providing the first two years and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) the second two years of a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, says Dennis Macknak, a key UNBC official working on the project. Although the provincial government has stepped up nursing programs to meet a continuing shortage, the pro- gram being proposed isn't included in any nursing seats already sel aside, he said, “But they have signalled to us they would be willing to look at additions to our budget in one area and that’s health care so thal’s the window of opportunity we have here,” said Macknak, One thing in the NWCC/UNBC proposal's favour is ihat the college already offers a substantial number of the required first and second year courses, he said. That means those costs are already covered off, mak- ing the proposal more cost effective and efficient than if it had to be developed from the ground up. One challenge, that of finding instructors, has already been met thanks to a huge level of support from health care professionals already working in the area, said Macknak. “We have real people. We're very happy with that,” he said. And a good number of potential instructors are regis- tered nurses who graduated from a Masters of Science in Community Health program held in Terrace several years ago, Another challenge is finding practicum placements in health care for students. “The Northern Heaith Authority is @ partner in this. How many clinic placements we can find ultimately determines how big the class size will be,” said Mackaak. Tronically, the continuing nursing shortage can work against clinical placements because the shortage can limit the number of working nurses who can spend time working with students, he added. The planned program here would be a similar one al- ready in place between UNBC and the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. That’s an established program and has been growing over the past several years from new health care dollars provided by the provincial government. “It's about a its limit now,” said Macknak of its growth. “So it makes sense and is a natural step to ex- pand into the northwest.” Also underway are efforts to provide licensed practi- cal nursing graduates and students from the NWCC pro- gram an entry point into the planned registered nursing program. A success in this area would mean the registered nursing program could turn out graduates faster than the anticipated full: four-year-period, said: Macknak. “ * This-fall’s financial: approval subriission ly geared Ht having the money beginning to flow for the financial year beginning April 2004. And that would lead to the program getting underway in Terrace in the fall of 2005. Knox United Church (Terrace} 4907 Lazella Tuesday 9:30 am « Tuesday 5:30 pr, 7:00 pm ‘ : ale for g a limited time at vaparietnl one 9 03 Weight Watchers Interna “Use this voucher fo redeem your free 3- -up card that could win you an easy $200,001, Bring them into our “Saturday” "aorncon @ vent and exchange them for cards for the free gam FREE GAME VOUCHER + FREE GAME VOUCHER « FREE Smee ° aatings oF Online substiption ie eralk All rights reservag, ‘COME ON DOWN...IT’S FREE! This game is free, that’s right, FREE! Phone: 250-635-2411 Fax: 250-635-7882 ; Jackpot Info. Line Ext. 27 ® ‘4410 Legion Ave., Terrace, B.C. in partnacehip with adi aatatp Carpore on The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - A3 CONSTRUCTION IS moving along at the Wal-Mart construction site just off the highway coming into Terrace from the east but noise from the project isn't making neighbourhood residents very happy. JEFF NAGEL PHOTO Wal-Mart build pace irritates local residents SLOW PROGRESS on the construction of the new Wal-Mart store has angered residents at the east end of Haugland Ave. The big box store is about two weeks behind schedule and residents fear buil- ders may ask the city for extended con- struction hours in order to meet its inten- ded opening date of early December. “It’s incredibly loud,” Haugland resi- dent Melissa Munn told. city council Sept. months.” She and others said they shouldn’( be punished and forced to listen to construc- 80 boy odo lion beyond the present permilted hours of 7am. to 8 p.m, Development services director Marvin Kwiatkowski said he has asked builders to redouble efforts, at one point telling them the city would hire extra equipment at the company's expense if necessary: He said the construction site required 15,000 cubic metres of fill to level it ouL Kwiatkowski says the loudest work close..to. Haugland, invalving utilities at §-- Our” homeés--havezbeen tshaking- foro the Kei: Maugland intersection,.was cam- pleted Tuesday: ; Highway improvements in front af the store are to be completed next month, 7 Pp T0°400 IN ARCTIC WEAR“ OR ACCESSORIES YIHINOA IWVD 33d © YIHMNOA 3WY9D 33u4 © YIHINOA IWVD 37dd OR A FREE 2" YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ¢ CONTRACT! News In Brief French numbers up MORE STUDENTS are enrolled in French immer- sion in Terrace than in previous years, reports Ca- nadian Parents for French, a lobby organization which promotes immersion programs, There ate more than 175 students registered this year compared to 169 in 2002 and 158 in 2001. And this comes at a time of overall decline in student enrolment. In 2000, there were 93 students in French im- mersion classes here. A plan being promoted by Canadian Parents for French to bring in a late immersion program for Grade 7 students didn’t work out here when only nine students were registered. Depot broken into again THE TERRACE Greyhound bus depot was broken into sometime in the afternoon of Wednesday, Sepl. 3. : Police say the culprit broke in using the doors on the west side of the building adding blood left at the scene indicates the offender was injured while getting in. An employee who responded to the alarm con- fronted a Caucasian male about five-foot-10-inches tall carry a crowbar, police say. The man was described as having a slim build, wearing running shoes, faded jeans and a long sleeved flannel shirt. The man fled the scene after being confronted and dodged police by heading south across Keith Ave. toward Kalum St., police say. If you have information about this crime please contact Terrace Crimestoppers at 635-8477. You are not required to identify yourself. A cash reward of up to $1,000 is offered for tips leading to an ar- rest and/or conviction, Health head hired NORTHWEST COMMUNITY College has hired one person to be responsible for ils health pro- grams, Katherine McIndoe is looking after the college's home support/residential care worker program, its licensed practical nursing program (which has just started its second year) and is involved in a new venture which, if approved, will see the college and the University of Northern British Columbia offer a four-year Bachelor of Science in nursing degree, Based at the college campus in Smithers, Mc- Indoe has other responsibilities: she’s the Dean of Instruction and of student services. Her first exposure to the college came several years ago when shortly after arriving in Smithers, she was hired to write a report on the feasibility of the licensed practical nursing program. It was sub- mitted to the College of Licensed Practical Nur- sing for the needed approvals before the program -could begin. McIndoe is a registered nurse by for- mal training and has taught psychology and socio- logy at the college’s Smithers campus. 4921 Keith Aye Terrace, B.C.