Recent History – 2003
September 11, 2003 — Gary Rusak, Daily News Staff
A new crop of homegrown health care workers is now ready to serve Dawson Creek and the South Peace. On Wednesday the first ever graduating class of Licensed Practical Nurses from Northern Lights College wrote their final exam. The 16 newly-licensed nurses were very happy to have completed the intense course.
“I am overjoyed to be finished,” said Carina Pratt smiling in her white nurse’s uniform. “It was a really hard year.”
The 12-month course included a practicum component that was completed in various facilities in Dawson Creek and Pouce Coupe. Not to mention an extra three to five hours of homework every single night.
“Everyone agrees that the practical part was the most helpful,” said Pratt. “It was where we could put all our knowledge and skill together.”
For the 16 women, the work was the beginning of fulfilling a lifetime dream.
“I entered the course because this is what I have always wanted to do,” said Pratt.
Jade Brooks, another member of the graduating class, echoed her enthusiasm.
“I did it because I like taking care of people,” she said. “They brought this course here for me,” she laughed.
Before this course was available through Northern Lights College, interested students would have had to travel to Grande Prairie or Fort St. John to get the proper training. A majority of the students are hoping to find work in the district. Some have already set up interviews with possible employers.
The next Licensed Practical Nurse program through Northern Lights College will be offered starting in the fall of 2004.
This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.