University of Regina program trains Francophone nurses

A unique partnership at the University of Regina prepares future nurses to care for Saskatchewan patients in French as well as in English. The program combines the expertise of the university’s La Cité French language hub – essentially a Francophone university within the University of Regina – with its Faculty of Nursing’s registered nursing program. It offers students the chance to pursue their nursing training in French and go on to deliver patient care in either official language.

Prior to the program, students who wanted to study nursing in French had to leave Saskatchewan. Now, students can train to be bilingual nurses in the province. When they graduate, Francophones in Saskatchewan will have access to health services in their official language of choice.

Western Economic Diversification Canada funded the program through the Economic Development Initiative (EDI). The EDI supports economic diversification and partnerships for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Official Language minority communities across Canada.

Transcript: University of Regina program trains Francophone nurses

[music]

(Exterior views of the University of Regina campus)

(Text on screen: Scenes in this video were produced prior to COVID-19 health restrictions.)

(Text on screen: Regina, Saskatchewan)

(FRANCINE PROULX-KENZLE, LIAISON - BILINGUAL OPTION SCBSCN, FACULTY OF NURSING, UNIVERSITY OF REGINA) La Cité universitaire francophone, a University of Regina faculty, is the hub for all French services on campus, and we welcome students from all faculties who seek a French environment.

(Various scenes of nursing students in training)

(DR. DAVID GREGORY, RN, PROFESSOR AND FOUNDING DEAN, FACULTY OF NURSING, UNIVERSITY OF REGINA) So the bilingual option will graduate French-speaking registered nurses, and those registered nurses will be able to provide health services in either official language, French or English. Importantly, clients can access health services in either official language.

(Various scenes of training equipment and nursing students using them)

(DR. DAVID GREGORY) Prior to the establishment of the bilingual option, anyone in the province who wanted to pursue nursing education in French had to leave the province. So the option allows citizens to stay in Saskatchewan and complete a nursing degree in French.

(Various scenes of nursing students in training)

(DR. DAVID GREGORY – voiceover) One of the ways in which the bilingual option connects with the French speaking community is through our advisory council. So we have representatives from all over the province of Saskatchewan who are French-language speakers and who represent agencies with a mandate to provide health services in French.

(Exterior views of the University of Regina campus, then a shot of the Regina skyline)

(FRANCINE PROULX-KENZLE, LIAISON )  The Francophone community in Regina, as well as throughout the province, is both lively and dynamic, and continues to grow.  It is a diverse community which brings an extraordinary richness to the province.

(University of Regina and La Cité logos)

(Western Economic Diversification Canada wordmark)

(Canada wordmark)

 [Music stops]