4 northern Ontario hospitals each get $10K from the RBC Foundation for nurse training

Four northern Ontario hospitals have received $10,000 donations from the RBC Foundation to provide new training for their registered nurses.

The Lake Of the Woods District Hospital, Dryden Regional Hospital, Timmins and District Hospital and Sault Area Hospital have all received the funds, which they plan to use for different training programs.

The Sault Area Hospital will use the money to train local instructors who can provide certification training to the hospital's 500 registered nurses. 

Sue Roger, the hospital's chief nursing executive, said the money will allow those trainers to travel to larger centres where they can receive the training they can then pass on to their colleagues.

They will train nurses on two certification programs: basic life support and advanced cardiovascular support.

"It's a big win for the organization," Roger said.

"You know, folks don't have to take it externally. They don't have to pay for it. We can do all of that work here at the hospital."

At the Timmins and District Hospital, the money will pay for a charge nurse leadership training program.

"The charge nurse is very imperative in the health-care system," said Kim Bazinet, the hospital's director of clinical services.

"She plays a pivotal role in managing patient care, supporting staff and in maintaining smooth operations on the hospital unit."

Bazinet said the hospital is planning to start offering the course in June.

"I think it's very important in healthcare, given the fact that it is Nurses Week, that we give the nurses the tools to be successful in their career," she said.

Josee Jean, the Timmins and District Hospital's director of surgical services, said the training should also help with retaining current nurses and recruiting new employees.