Two Nursing students will use their community placement at the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Goderich to research the gaps in programs for Huron County Seniors.
The Nipissing University students will help the Gateway Centre move forward with developing a regional geriatric program centred in Goderich. The students were also involved in creating a resource manual.
RN and Preceptor Gwen Devereaux is the vice president of the Gateway Board of Directors.
She says its an important opportunity to introduce health professionals to Huron County, in hopes they will return to work in the area.
She says the Community Health clinical practicum project was so successful that in 2018, two more Nipissing University nursing students will begin their practicum training.
Jolanda Smith, from Brussels, Ontario, has been a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) since 2015. She currently works through Fanshawe College as a Personal Support Worker instructor and at the Fordwich Village Nursing Home. As well, she is a student in the RPN to BScN nursing program through Nipissing University. Smith will be graduating in December 2018.
Ally Timmermans is an RPN who is studying for her BScN to become a registered nurse. She graduated from the RPN program at St Clair College in 2012 and has been working for the past five years. She currently works full-time in adult mental health and plans to graduate in April 2018.
“Gateway has been a great resource throughout this placement. Gateway was very welcoming and informative about the geriatric population in this area. We have enjoyed this placement and are happy to have a great place to have our community placement at,” says Jolanda and Ally.