Saskatchewan
Ministry of
Health
Nursing:
Your Future
Compassionate
Care Is
IN
SASKATCHEWAN
CATHOLIC
VALUES
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian prairies, Saskatchewan is known for its
wide-open spaces, its natural beauty, and the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Like Saskatchewan’s skies, the opportunities here are endless. In Saskatchewan,
you won’t just find a job, you’ll find a place where passionate, committed health professionals
work to make a real difference in the lives of the people they serve.
T
he health care system in
Saskatchewan is ideal for nurses of all ages who want to
hone their skills and develop a
wide variety of specialties. There are
challenging opportunities in the major
hospitals in Regina and Saskatoon, the
two major urban areas, as well as in primary care clinics and facilities throughout the 12 regions. A holistic approach
to health care is integrated into many of
the programs the regions offer. This
adds another rich dimension to a nursing
career in Saskatchewan.
Besides all the clinics and facilities
managed on a regional level, there are
facilities that offer services to the
entire province or many regions at once,
such as the Wascana Rehabilitation
Centre in Regina, which has 308 residents and 50 rehab beds, and the
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, which
runs the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in
Regina and the Saskatoon Cancer
Centre. Both of these centres also have
patient lodges where patients and their
family members can stay at a very
reasonable cost.
The Wascana Rehabilitation Centre
provides comprehensive medical rehabilitation programs for adults and children,
as well as specialized long-term care.
The centre serves the population of
southern Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon Cancer Centre is
located on the University of
Saskatchewan campus, beside the Royal
University Hospital. The Allan Blair
Cancer Centre is located within the
Pasqua Hospital in Regina.
SASKATCHEWAN’S HEALTH
REGIONS ARE:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cypress Health Region
Five Hills Health Region
Heartland Health Region
Keewatin Yatthé
Regional Health Authority
Kelsey Trail Health Region
Mamawetan Churchill
River Health Region
Prairie North Health Region
Prince Albert Parkland Health Region
Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Saskatoon Health Region
Sun Country Health Region
Sunrise Health Region
The Athabasca Health Authority provides health services to people of the
Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan’s far
north, with funding from Health Canada
and the Ministry of Health. I
3
Offers the Advantages
of a Major Centre Without
All the Inconveniences
Located in beautiful southwestern Saskatchewan, the Cypress
Health Region covers a vast area
and provides a wide range of
health care services to some
46,000 residents. The region is
home to 21 health facilities
located in 13 communities.
Cypress Health is dedicated to
excellence and believes in hiring
exceptional candidates to ensure
it provides health services of the
highest quality. Right now, the
region employs 6 nurse practitioners, 275 registered nurses
and registered psychiatric nurses,
and 122 licensed practical nurses
in a wide variety of health disciplines. If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding career in
the health care industry, the
Cypress Health Region would like
to hear from you!
4
A
fter enrolling in engineering,
Chet McCuaig decided that he
would rather be working with
people than numbers and
changed to study nursing. He is a second
generation nurse, as his mother presently
works in the Cypress Health Region and
Chet is orientating in the critical care
unit at the Cypress Regional Hospital in
Swift Current.
After obtaining a bachelor of nursing
from the University of Calgary while
attending Medicine Hat College, Chet
never hesitated, and he knew he wanted
to return to Saskatchewan.
“I started out working on a temp basis
to get my practicing license in Alberta,
and then I transferred to Saskatchewan. I
opted for the Cypress Health Region so
that I could study all the options available. I know now that I would accept
going to a small town because I feel that
the atmosphere and the fact that there
are few doctors around to provide care
would make my job as a nurse just that
much more challenging and gratifying,”
states Chet.
Nurse practitioners will continue to be
essential team members in the overall
health care system in Saskatchewan. This
is just another reason why nurses like
Chet believe that they can have a very fulfilling career in rural areas.
REGIONAL FACILITIES
OPEN HORIZONS
The new hospital in Swift Current, the
largest city in the Cypress Health Region, is
an example of how regional facilities are
developing and opening new horizons for
health care practitioners, nurses included.
Dru Antoniuk, program manager for
women and children’s health services at
the Cypress Regional Hospital explains
that the new centre allows nurses to
develop their nursing skills through
practice and simulations.
“Our program provides obstetric and
pediatric services to the region. The new
facility is unique because it has
labour/delivery/recovery/postpartum
(LDRP) suites where a woman can give
birth with her family around her at all
times. We are fortunate to have this type
of unit,” states Dru. “Due to our program
being geared towards labour and delivery,
as well as pediatric and off-service
patients, our nurses can develop multiple
specialties right here in the region.”
It is an exciting time for new nurses who
can have a pick of where they want to go.
There are a lot of advantages in rural areas
because nurses are able to acquire a broader
base of skills, which is something bigger
facilities don’t always allow.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Saskatchewan-born Lisa Hornung, a
second generation nurse, studied in
Alberta and was set on staying in that
province until she met a staff member
from the Cypress Health Region at a
career fair. “Sure the grant that was
offered was an incentive, but so was the
possibility of getting a full-time position.
I arrived just a month after the new hospital opened in Swift Current and headed
for acute care right away because I love
the pace in this area.”
Linda Walliser, a program manager
who works with young graduates, recognizes that new nurses come well prepared and have a good solid knowledge
base that is better today than 10 to 15
years ago. “Colleges have adjusted to
the needs of the population, and the
new graduates have well-rounded general experience in most fields, including
medicine/surgery. In smaller facilities,
nurses develop their independence to
react and think quickly.”
In the emergency room and the intensive care units, student nurses are paired
with experienced nurses, as was the case
with Lisa Hornung and program manager
Anita Ewen prior to Lisa’s graduation. “The
nursing managers at the Cypress Regional
Hospital have had great experiences
working with the grad nurse mentorship
program,” says Anita. “In such areas, young
nurses need to acquire some experience
quickly and what better way than to work
with nurses who possess that experience.”
“With this type of orientation, young
nurses have lots of possibilities,” adds Lisa.
“Becoming a nurse is something you
have deep inside. You need a scientific
mind with a lot of compassion and you
don’t do it for the money. It’s a hard
profession and you have to love it, and
we can see the determination when we
work with all ages of nurses.”
5
MENTORSHIP HAS BENEFITS
There is a mentorship program for nurses
throughout Saskatchewan. This program
allows young nurses to work with more
experienced practitioners for anywhere
from six weeks to four months.
Mentorship does have its benefits; just ask
young graduate Carianne Schultz. “I am
looking into medicine/surgery right now,
and I have the opportunity to work with
someone with 30 years of experience by
my side. I know I need to improve some of
my skills, and I get instant feedback from
someone who can answer my questions
right away. I would tell any grad student
to grab any opportunity to work in the
mentorship program. Furthermore, it is
funded, which means a lot less stress,”
explains Carianne.
NPS CRITICAL TO HEALTH CARE
After 32 years of working in rural areas,
Sherry Hornung has no doubt she is definitely a rural nurse. Working out of
Vanguard and Hodgeville right now, she
has spent 15 years in primary health care
clinics in southern Saskatchewan. Sherry is
continually advancing her education by
working in emergency in northern
Saskatchewan. “With two girls in nursing, I
6
am so impressed with the bursaries
that are offered to young nurses in
Saskatchewan that allow them to advance
their skills and provide such opportunities
for growth.”
As an NP, Sherry works closely with a
physician and the rest of the primary health
care team. She complements the physician’s
time, as she has the ability to spend more
time with the patients. “There is something
about nursing that is so fulfilling!”
Nurse practitioner Shelley Wilson, originally from Morse, truly enjoys her work in
Eastend, a rural area where she has served as
a preceptor for nursing students who come
for six-week stays. “The ability to serve in
such an area is very rewarding, and you can
continue your skill-set honing in small clinics
such as the one I work in. In the past, I have
worked up north in isolated areas, and
Eastend is a small centre where there is very
little service for the population. It can be
very inspiring to come to work and know
you are providing a much appreciated service. It is also very nice to have your family
around because this is a place where you
can raise your kids in a safe surrounding,”
states Shelley.
The clinic in Eastend is located within a
health centre that has 24 long-term care
beds. The doctor comes around every
week or every second week. For Shelley,
Eastend is a warm and unique little town
where patients are very appreciative and
respectful of the care they receive. This is
definitely a place to learn and develop
new skills because there simply aren’t any
specialties around.
“Working with a physician and other
primary health care team members provides the collegial support that I desire.
As an NP here, I can tell you that
Eastenders respect my hours at the clinic.
All in all, I think that this is very exciting
work for someone intent on developing
many diverse skills.”
CYPRESS HEALTH REGION
IS SYNONYMOUS
WITH TEAMWORK
The primary health care teams in the
Cypress Health Region are very good at
educating and teaching. The people in the
communities are wonderful, and they
applaud the fact that they have health
care professionals to work with. The
region offers many opportunities for
meaningful work, the chance to raise a
family in a safe environment, and low
housing costs. The main ingredient in
the Cypress Health recipe for creating
this type of enjoyable working environment is teamwork.
Another important factor one should
look at is the opportunity to get close
to patients, to develop a close connection with them and feel like you are
making a difference. This isn’t always
possible in larger centres. It is easy to
develop a sense of self-fulfillment in
the region. There is also a new hospital
in Swift Current that is modern and
fully equipped.
Recent nursing recruits speak to the
orientation program, bursary and relocation grant availability, and attractions in
the region as key ingredients to their
joining the Cypress team. All in all, the
region’s strategy set forth is bearing
fruit. In 2008, the region was able to fill
35 nursing positions.
THE DR. NOBLE IRWIN REGIONAL
HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
The Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Health
Care Foundation, located in Swift
Current, provides funding to support
staff seeking to further their education.
It also awards scholarships twice annually to deserving individuals who
want to further their health care careers.
The foundation has a community trust
advisory committee that studies various
projects to see how it can assist with
educational needs and equipment.
Cypress Health works closely with the
municipal councils to offer interesting
incentives, such as free rent for six
months, specials on vehicle rentals, or
golf passes. If you are looking for a place
to develop your nursing skills where the
quality of life is second to none and the
opportunities are numerous, don’t look
any further than the Cypress Health
Region. For more information on the
Cypress Health Region, see page 22. I
7
Offers Dynamic Communities
and Interesting Challenges
The Five Hills Health Region office is
located in Moose Jaw in southcentral Saskatchewan. The services
offered by the health care workers in
this region of 56,000 residents
include acute care, long-term care,
home care, EMS, public health,
mental health, addiction services,
and primary health care. The region
does everything in its power to
make sure its employees aren’t
stressed out or overworked by offering employee wellness programs,
quality workplace initiatives, and a
representative workforce program.
These are just a few examples of the
region’s commitment to respect
diversity, foster open communication, and value its 1,800 employees.
T
here are inpatient acute care hospitals located in Assiniboia, Central
Butte, Gravelbourg, and Moose Jaw.
The network is completed by
health and wellness centres established in
Craik, Kincaid, Lafleche, Rockglen,
Mossbank, and Willow Bunch. There are
many advantages to living in the Five Hills
region, including low-cost housing, low-cost
insurance, very little if any pollution, access
to the great outdoors, first-rate recreational
facilities, a low crime rate, short distances to
work, and warm and friendly people. And
these are just a few of the many reasons
health care professionals enjoy living in the
smaller Five Hills municipalities or the four
major communities in the region.
8
MOOSE JAW
CENTRAL BUTTE
The historic city of Moose Jaw, with its
population of 35,000, offers affordable
housing and excellent recreational and
educational facilities, including a community college. Moose Jaw, “the Friendly
City,” is located on the Trans-Canada
Highway, 45 minutes from an international
airport and the University of Regina. The
Tunnels of Little Chicago, the Temple
Gardens Mineral Spa, and the heritage
festival of Motif, which celebrates
ethnic diversity, all exemplify the qualities of this wonderful, vibrant, familyoriented community, which has become a
major focus of attention in areas of
tourism, innovation, and commerce.
Central Butte’s proximity to Lake
Diefenbaker and some of the finest of
Saskatchewan’s world-class outdoor recreation, including two provincial parks, marinas on a beautiful lake, and two golf courses
within a 40 km radius, make it the perfect
place to live, work, or do business. Central
Butte is 30 miles north of the Trans-Canada
Highway. Being off the beaten path has its
benefits: there are no commercial airlines,
no rush hour, no construction noise, no
alarms, no sirens, and no trains. Wake up
anytime to just the sound of birds chirping
in your backyard. Trips to the city are no
problem, with four major cities within a
100-mile radius; the hard part is deciding
which one to visit.
ASSINIBOIA
A peaceful and inviting community
right in the heart of the golden south,
Assiniboia has a rich heritage, abundant
natural resources, and a strong sense of
community. It is the service centre of
the south. Residents and tourists enjoy
a rare freedom only the vast, open
plains can offer. Assiniboia serves primarily an agriculturally based trading
area in any direction.
GRAVELBOURG
A touch of Europe on the prairies,
Gravelbourg is a small, vibrant, and multicultural community located in southcentral Saskatchewan. Culture, heritage,
spirituality, and architecture are the
four pillars of a community that offers a
unique quality of life with modern
recreational facilities, excellent educational services, and the amenities one
might expect in a big city.
The region has a strong commitment to
quality improvement and pursuing excellence. In cooperation with the Ministry of
Health and the Health Quality Council, the
region is participating in a number of initiatives to improve the patient experience
and the nursing work environment. The
medical unit at Moose Jaw Union
Hospital has been piloting the United
Kingdom–based program Releasing Time to
Care: The Productive Ward, which empowers nurses and other members of care
teams to look at how their ward is organized and to make changes that allow
them to spend more time with patients.
Ensuring the safety and quality of our
programs benefits everyone: the patients
and our health care workers. For further
information on a meaningful nursing
career in the Five Hills Health Region,
refer to page 23. I
Building a Region of Healthy
People and Healthy Communities
Covering 41,770 square kilometres
of land in beautiful west-central
Saskatchewan, the Heartland
Health Region is located in an area
bordered by landmarks that
include the South Saskatchewan
River to the south and the province
of Alberta to the west. There are 65
towns and villages, 44 rural municipalities, and 19 Hutterite colonies
located in the region.
T
he Heartland Health Region is
home to 44,124 people. There are
health facilities in 16 communities, and there is one regional
hospital in Kindersley. There are also six
community hospitals in the rural areas of
Biggar, Davidson, Kerrobert, Outlook,
Rosetown, and Unity. The region also
offers 492 long-term care beds.
WHY SHOULD YOU
CHOOSE HEARTLAND?
•
•
•
•
•
Close-knit staff
Low cost of living
Family-oriented way of life
Your neighbours treat you like family
Friendly and helpful staff who know
they succeed when you do
Heartland Health Region is leading the
way with innovative programs supporting
a work-life balance:
• Flexible hours
• Job sharing
• Quality of life initiatives
• Corporate rates
• Generous leave of absence policies
Heartland Health Region offers large
centre services in small communities:
• More than 50 program beds that can be
used to provide respite care, night care,
palliative care, and convalescent care.
• 16 EMS services, 1 EMT-A rover service,
and first responders throughout the
region to ensure timely access to emergency medical services.
• 1,686 employees, including 260 RNs, 104
LPNs, and 6 nurse practitioners.
• Heartland Health is ready to accommodate all nursing students requesting
a clinical placement within the region.
This excellent recruitment tool allows
students to become familiar with rural
nursing and the regional administration
as an employer.
Heartland has been successful with
anticipatory hiring practices, such as
posting permanent positions to replace
temporary vacancies where it is unlikely
the permanent incumbent will return or
when anticipating retirements. In
reviewing potential retirements/leaves
of absence and addressing recruitment
and retention needs, the region has
implemented 11 permanent RN relief
positions. Initial review of these relief
positions has indicated a significant
reduction of overtime following
their introduction.
Heartland Health Region provides
access to a range of community services
that includes:
• Communicable disease coordination
• Public health nursing
• Public health inspection
• Public health nutrition
• Dental health education
• Adult counseling
• Occupational therapy and physiotherapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Child and youth services
• Mental health rehabilitation services
• Addiction recovery and treatment services
For more information on this beautiful
region and its opportunities, see p. 23. I
Discover a region with strategic directions and goals:
• Building a culture of safety
• Making ongoing communication
a priority
• Supporting and developing
human resources
• Establishing quality performance
and expectations
• Developing primary health care services
across the region
9
Community Wellness Is a Priority
Located in northwest Saskatchewan,
the Keewatin Yatthé Regional
Health Authority (KYRHA) covers a
territory that roughly encompasses
one-quarter of the territory of the
entire province. The land is rich in
history, culture, and resources.
Many people come to the North to
experience its year-round natural
beauty as well as the wide variety of
cultural experiences, sporting
activities and events, and a lifestyle
that is unique to the North.
T
he Keewatin Yatthé Regional
Health Authority administers a
comprehensive and much needed
health care delivery system for
numerous northern villages and towns.
KYRHA takes pride in accepting the
immense challenge of caring for people
scattered throughout this vast area of forestland laced with beautiful rivers and lakes.
MEANINGFUL CHALLENGES
Those who enjoy a challenge and are
seeking an opportunity to forge partnerships
with First Nation and Métis peoples and
members of various communities may certainly want to consider a career with
Keewatin Yatthé Regional Health Authority.
As an employee, you will enjoy the autonomy of community professional health status,
while working in an expanded role delivering
a wide range of community health services.
KYRHA offers the perfect circumstances
for rekindling what once inspired young students to choose a health care career in a
wonderful environment, far away from the
mainstream. Being part of a team, sharing
values, and building relationships—these are
the roots of your motivation to help people.
These principles are preserved in the
Keewatin Yatthé Regional Health Authority.
KYRHA welcomes health care professionals with adventurous spirits and the desire to
become an essential part of our team. It
takes a genuine concern and appreciation for
human life and community, for family and
tradition, and for culture and customs. This is
not your mainstream career path, but the
rewards flow freely and the possibilities are
wide open. If you welcome the challenge
and respect traditional northern values, we
invite you to share the Keewatin Yatthé
Regional Health Authority experience.
A WHOLISTIC APPROACH
"Wholistic" (deliberately spelled with a
“w” to emphasize the “whole” concept)
includes the concepts of:
• Physical, mental, emotional, and
spiritual wellness
• Working together as individuals,
families, communities, and institutions
• Individual, family, community, and institutional responsibility (understanding
roles and stewardship)
• Healing (individual, family,
and community)
• Supporting each other in meeting
our needs
• Healthy lifestyles
• Increasing awareness of those activities,
attitudes, beliefs, principles, and initiatives that lead to healing and healthy
lifestyles
• Developing linkages/networks to support healing and healthy lifestyles
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The KYRHA provides a number of programs and services aimed at the wellness of
the community at large. The programs and
services available include home care, community outreach, mental health, addiction,
nutrition, dietetic, dental, medical transportation, EMS, and more.
There are five health centres located
throughout the region: La Loche Health
Centre, St. Joseph Hospital, Ile X Medical
Clinic, Beauval Health Clinic, and Buffalo
Narrows Health Clinic.
For further information concerning a
rewarding career in northern Saskatchewan,
please see p. 23. I
10
Acquiring New Skills in
Pristine Kelsey Trail Health Region
The Kelsey Trail Health Region
(KTHR) is nestled within a vast geographic expanse of dense forests,
pristine lakes, and the picturesque
Carrot River Valley in northeastern
Saskatchewan. It is this close proximity to the beauty and serenity of
Mother Nature that has seen this
area of northeastern Saskatchewan
develop into one of the most
sought after tourism destinations
in the province.
T
he Kelsey Trail Regional Health
Authority is responsible for providing primary and secondary
health care services, as well as a
wide variety of preventative and health
promotion services, to a population that
includes 58 rural and urban municipalities,
five First Nation communities, and the
northern village of Cumberland House.
KTHR operates three regional hospitals
and three community hospitals. The
region also operates five health centres,
and there are long-term care facilities in
nine communities.
Public health, home care, and a wide
variety of community health services
are delivered throughout the region.
Nurse practitioners provide primary
health care services and work on interdisciplinary teams to provide services
across the region.
KTHR is a progressive and innovative
employer. An extensive orientation
program provides new employees with
the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the entire region before
embarking on “on the job” facilitybased training and mentorship. KTHR
provides a competitive salary and benefits package and provides staff with
ongoing educational opportunities.
NURSING OPPORTUNITIES
There are many nursing opportunities in
the region, and a nurse can easily improve
his or her skills in many different fields:
general nursing duties, including emergency/outpatient; inpatient acute care;
general surgery; palliative care; chemotherapy; obstetrical; psychiatric; nurse practitioners; chronic disease nurse educators;
home care; hemodialysis; public health;
long-term care; northern nursing; and more.
Quality, affordable housing is available
for those looking to relocate. The area is
considered a safe and secure place to
raise a family. Primary, secondary, postsecondary, and continuing education
opportunities within the region are
exceptional. Many different spiritual affiliations and volunteer organizations function in the northeast. Endless, affordable
arts and cultural, sporting, and recreational opportunities are available for all
ages and skill levels. I
11
Working Together in Wellness
Northern nursing is an experience
one can enjoy for a lifetime! There
are opportunities and challenges
resulting in significant rewards and
the certainty that your nursing skills
will contribute to the quality of the
lives of the people you serve.
T
he Mamawetan Churchill River
Health Region provides services
to over 22,000 residents in the
northeast area of Saskatchewan.
Geographically, it is the largest Saskatchewan health region, covering nearly 25
percent of the entire province. The
region celebrates the rich, northern heritage of the more than 50 communities
and Cree and Denesuline First Nations
located among the lakes, rivers, and
forests of the Precambrian Shield.
Diversity is the strength of the region,
which has engaged in many partnerships
to realize its mission of working together
in wellness to promote, enhance, and
maintain quality of life.
12
Nurses are part of a collaboration team
in five centres in the region:
• The La Ronge Health Centre is an
integrated facility with a broad range
of services, including community
health, acute care, and
long-term care.
• In Sandy Bay and Pinehouse,
RNs and RN(NP)s provide wellness
screenings and ambulatory care,
with access to telehealth,
and physician services
two days a week.
• Public health, mental health,
and home care nurses are located
in Creighton, just across the border
from Flin Flon, Manitoba.
• Services are also provided in
Weyakwin by nurses travelling
in from La Ronge on a regular basis.
In addition, the Population Health
Unit provides north-wide services in
collaboration with the Athabasca
Health Authority, Keewatin Yatthé
Health Region, and the Mamawetan
Churchill River Health Region. And
while First Nations have their own
federally funded health services, there
is a collaborative approach to providing
the best care for the population of
the North.
VALUES
“Mamawetan” is a Cree word for “getting together.” The Mamawetan Churchill
River Health Region has adopted values
that reflect the spirit of the northern culture and guide the work of the staff:
Wholistic approach: Compassionate
care, recognizing and supporting physical,
mental, spiritual, social, and emotional
well-being.
Equity: Social justice through fair and
equitable access to health services for all
people.
Accountability: Having the courage to
do what is right, guided by honesty, transparency, and responsibility to our stakeholders.
Competence: A commitment to the
continual pursuit of excellence through
gaining knowledge and implementing
research-based best practice guidelines
and standards within an ethical framework.
Trust: Built upon respect and valuing
the unique worth of each individual in our
relationships, decisions, and actions.
Team approach: Working together
through cooperation and recognition of
others’ contributions to achieve a common goal.
WE ACT Together is a helpful way to
remember these values.
If you’re thinking of joining our team,
see p. 24 for more information. The
Mamawetan Churchill River Health
Region is looking forward to working
with you. I
Opportunities to Reach
Your Goals and Dreams
Whatever your dreams and goals—
personally and professionally—the
opportunity to reach for them is
yours in Prairie North Health Region
(PNHR). Encompassing one of the
most vibrant and progressive areas
of Saskatchewan, Prairie North offers
positive, challenging, and unique
opportunities for any nurse to launch
or expand his or her nursing career.
Add to this a diversity of warm, welcoming communities rich in cultural,
educational, and recreational amenities and natural beauty, and you
have the ideal place to work, play,
live, and grow!
P
rairie North Health Region provides a comprehensive, coordinated network of health services.
The region’s strength is the people: highly skilled, qualified, professional,
dedicated, caring, compassionate, and
open to welcome any new member wishing to join the team!
PNHR is home to three main hospitals in
our largest communities of Lloydminster,
The Battlefords, and Meadow Lake. Each is
a busy emergency, surgical, and obstetrical
site. The Battlefords and Lloydminster hospitals also offer a range of specialty services, including dialysis, chemotherapy, CT
scanning, internal medicine, and more.
Nursing services are vital in the rural
hospitals at Maidstone and Turtleford,
and in the long-term care homes throughout the region. Prairie North’s long-term
care, home care, respite care, and adult
day programming is strong and innovative,
focused on improving the quality of life
for its clients.
PNHR is home to Saskatchewan’s only
provincial psychiatric rehabilitation hospital—Saskatchewan
Hospital
North
Battleford—renowned throughout its history for excellence in mental health care,
treatment, and support for its residents
and clients. With development of a new
state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital on
the horizon, the opportunities are outstanding for nursing professionals in this
demanding and rewarding health care
field. PNHR is also home to an acute inpatient mental health unit and community
outpatient mental health services, distinguishing the region as a centre for mental
health service excellence in Saskatchewan.
The community/public health programming is second to none, with an
active, expanding public health nursing
component to meet the needs of our
growing young population. PNHR’s primary health care services program continues to expand, with increasing opportunities for nurses to work to higher skill
levels as nurse practitioners.
Nurse management and other roles
that benefit from nursing expertise round
out the range of nursing opportunities
available in PNHR.
Prairie North Health Region is
unquestionably unique as it covers a
large and diverse area in the northwest
part of central Saskatchewan. The
region's population is over 72,800.
Prairie North also serves a significant
population on the Alberta side of
Lloydminster and the surrounding area.
PNHR is one of the largest employers
in northwest Saskatchewan. This
includes over 2,900 staff in full-time,
part-time, and casual positions. For
contact information, see p. 24. I
13
Offers Meaningful Careers
and a Superb Quality of Life
The Prince Albert Parkland Health
Region offers excellent opportunities for fulfilling careers while providing an exceptional quality of life.
More than 40,000 of the region’s
77,000 residents live within the city of
Prince Albert, and 95 percent of residents are within 30 minutes of a
hospital or long-term care facility.
A
s the third most populous
regional health authority in the
province, the Prince Albert
Parkland Health Region offers a
wide range of services, not only for the
residents of the health region but also for
people from surrounding regions and
northern and northeastern Saskatchewan.
The region employs more than 2,200
health care professionals.
MISSION
The official mission statement clearly
explains the objectives set forth by the
health authority: “people, families, and communities working together toward improved
health in the Prince Albert Parkland Health
Region.” The entire staff strives toward fulfilling its mission: “a safe workplace where
our employees, physicians and volunteers
feel supported, encouraged and appreciated
for the work they perform.”
The Victoria Hospital is a 122-bed
regional hospital that provides a wide
range of specialized services. Mental health
programs include two units, one for adults
and one for youth and children, with a
total of 44 beds. The region also has a
strong community mental health program.
14
There are 12 long-term care facilities in
10 communities throughout the region,
providing homes to more than 550 residents. Many of the modern facilities incorporate an “at home” setting. Keeping people independent is the focus of the home
care programs, which provide services to
an estimated 2,250 people each year.
The region’s community and public
health services encompass many specialized programs, including:
• Health education for new mothers
• Immunization
• Sexual health education
• Sexually transmitted disease clinic
• Child health clinics
• Communicable disease control
• Diabetes education
ORIENTATION PROCESS
All new hires receive a one-week
regional general orientation. Most RNs,
RPNs, and grad nurses are placed on an
orientation during which they are
supernumerary. RNs, RPNs, and LPNs
hold positions on specific units, which
have comprehensive identified orientation processes.
This unit-specific orientation is facilitated through the nursing unit managers,
nurse educators, and staff members. All
new grads are supported through the preceptorship and mentorship programs. All
new grads receive a free membership for
"Nursing the Future," which is supported
by the region's corporate membership.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Students enrolled in professional nursing programs who have completed one or
two years of training are eligible to work
as special-care aides. Those who have
completed three years are eligible for
senior nursing assistant positions.
The region has a wealth of summer
and winter activities hosted in well
groomed city parks, golf courses, and
sport facilities, and wherever you decide
to live in the region, you are always only
minutes away from the best resorts
in Saskatchewan. I
Offers Room for Personal Growth
One of Canada’s most integrated,
academic health service organizations, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health
Region (RQHR) provides a full range
of hospital, rehabilitation, community, public health, long-term care,
and home care services. The RQHR
provides more than 9,000 employees with an environment that
supports learning, innovation, and
research, and where ideas, energy,
and enthusiasm flourish. In this environment, we live our values of
respect, compassion, collaboration,
knowledge, and stewardship.
T
he Regina Qu'Appelle Health
Region covers a vast area in the
province of Saskatchewan,
directly serving more than
245,000 urban and rural residents living in
over 120 cities, towns, villages, rural
municipalities, and First Nation communities. Including residents of other health
regions who are regularly referred to the
region for specialized services, the RQHR
cares for 465,000 people.
Two provincial hospitals, the Regina
General and Pasqua hospitals, located in
Regina, house the latest, state-of-the-art
technology, ensuring patients receive the
best care possible.
STRONG MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
“I’ve found that the Regina Qu'Appelle
Health Region offers tremendous opportunities with lots of room for professional
growth and development,” says Lori
Garchinski, administrative director, cardiosciences program. “I have met a wonderful
group of colleagues who have allowed me
to grow professionally and challenge my
abilities as a critical care nurse.”
In partnership with the Ministry of
Health, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health
Region provides a four-month mentorship
program for graduating nurses. As a graduate nurse, Erin Harder worked with a mentor. “The mentorship program is an amazing opportunity that I was fortunate
enough to have been a part of. It gave me
the opportunity to spend four months
with an experienced nurse who was able
to guide me through the tough transition
from student to registered nurse. I didn't
feel the stress that I know many graduate
nurses feel when they start their first job.”
SMALL-CITY WARMTH
Many of the RQHR’s services are centred
in Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan.
Regina, also known as the Queen City since
it was named after Queen Victoria, offers
all the amenities of a large city with the
warmth and friendliness of a small town.
The city offers a relaxed lifestyle in a scenic
setting. It has all the advantages of a major
city without having to worry about rushhour traffic jams, lengthy commutes, or
excessive housing costs.
The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region’s
seven community hospitals offer acute,
emergency,
and
outpatient
care.
Saskatchewan, known as the Land of Living
Skies, has scenic lakes, valleys, and wideopen prairies. The outdoor enthusiast will
be minutes from hiking, camping, fishing,
hunting, and skiing.
Registered nurse Anna Allen works in a
community hospital: “I use all my skills and
competencies nursing in a community hospital. I am also expected and allowed to take
a leadership role. In smaller hospitals, interdisciplinary teams have to function at a high
capacity. As a nurse, I am a crucial part of
the team. Also, I love living in rural
Saskatchewan. It’s so peaceful and doesn’t
have the hectic pace of living in the city.
There is less pressure and stress, and I seem
to have more time.”
For more information about the activities
and services available in the city and rural
areas of the RQHR, visit the Regional
Information pages in the Careers section of
our Web site, www.rqhealth.ca. I
There’s so much to do in Regina, any
time of the year. Wascana Park, 2,300 acres
of luscious green space located in the centre of the city, provides countless opportunities for entertainment and relaxation.
Regina comes alive with outdoor activities, farmers’ markets, and music and cultural events. Take in the symphony, live
theatre, museums, galleries, and sporting
events. Or get out and enjoy the biking,
jogging, and walking trails that thread their
way through the city.
15
Saskatoon Health Region
Offers More Than Jobs
The Saskatoon Health Region (SHR)
improves health through excellence
and innovation in service, education, and research by building on
the core values of respect, compassion, excellence, stewardship, and
collaboration. In Saskatchewan’s
largest health region, you will work
with a group of dedicated professionals. Saskatoon Health Region
offers competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a great quality of
life in Saskatchewan’s largest city.
16
S
askatoon Health Region is all
about people and real human
moments. The region provides
care and health services to
300,000 residents in 100 cities, towns,
villages, rural municipalities, and First
Nation communities in an area that
represents more than 5 percent of
Saskatchewan’s geographic land base.
Providing this care is a team of more
than 12,000 professionals, more than 20
percent of whom are nurses. This means
around one out of every 14 people in
the local workforce is employed by
the region.
The nurses, physicians, managers, and
other staff are responsible for services
across the continuum of care from hospital
and long-term care, rehabilitation and palliative care, to public health and home care,
mental health and addiction services.
The region provides health services to
many people within the region and is a
provincial referral centre. On any day, about
35 percent of those who receive hospital
services in Saskatoon live outside of the
region’s geographic boundaries. The mix of
local services and out-of-region referrals
make for a challenging, dynamic, and exciting work environment.
trails, and parks for all to enjoy. Saskatoon
is also home to one of Canada’s most
prestigious universities, the University of
Saskatchewan (U of S). As a recognized
leader among Canadian universities, the U of
S provides many avenues for new nurses to
further their careers through professional
development and research opportunities.
Saskatoon Health Region offers
competitive salaries, extensive benefits,
and retention and recruitment incentives for new nursing graduates. Many of
these benefits would not be possible
without the strong relationship between Saskatoon Health Region and the
Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN). In
addition, nursing graduates staying here
or moving here may qualify for $1,500 to
$5,000 from the region, depending on
where they move from.
OUR VALUES
When a nurse chooses to work for
Saskatoon Health Region, he or she joins a
team of individuals that live the values of
respect, compassion, excellence, stewardship, and collaboration. The region recognizes that all people and their needs are
important. By practicing respect, the region
accepts and honours strength and diversity
in all that it does. By respecting one another and those around us, employees are
able to provide better care to patients,
clients, residents, and one other.
By caring genuinely for others and considering the needs of others, employees
practice compassion. This could involve
anything from helping out a colleague
who is overwhelmed, listening to others
without judgment, or passing along a
compliment to a resident, client, patient,
family member, or employee.
Saskatoon Health Region is committed to
excellence. The region puts excellence into
action for the benefit of all its employees,
personally and professionally. Its employees
apply lessons learned to improve patient
safety and quality of care and take personal
responsibility to find a sense of purpose and
meaning in their work.
The region’s stewardship is all about
demonstrating trust and integrity in the
responsible use of resources. Region
employees practice stewardship through
maintaining privacy and confidentiality standards, taking actions to maintain a safe
workplace, and following professional standards of practice.
Working in the region’s rural areas provides an alternative to living in a large centre.
Saskatoon Health Region employees serve
people in various communities, including
Wakaw, Cudworth, Lanigan, Wynyard,
Nokomis, Strasbourg, Duck Lake, and others.
Many of these communities are small in size
and big in heart. They have friendly and
inviting people who are eager to welcome
new nurses to their new workplace and new
home. These communities also have all the
services needed to enjoy living in a rural
centre, but they are close enough to visit the
larger towns and cities.
VISION
Saskatoon Health Region’s vision of
healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service is bold, and its
values are strong. If you want to work in
this challenging, dynamic environment in
a beautiful location with friendly people
and supportive colleagues, join the
Saskatoon Health Region team. For contact information, see p. 25. I
Finally, by collaborating with peers,
employees will notice the benefits of
working with others. Regional employees
put collaboration into action through
effective communication, being accountable for their actions as a team, sharing
both responsibility and praise, and recognizing their collective accomplishments.
OUR PLACES
When people work for Saskatoon
Health Region, they work in welcoming
and beautiful cities, towns, villages, and
First Nation communities. The region’s
largest centre, Saskatoon, boasts the
panoramic Saskatchewan River Valley,
which provides hiking, jogging, and bike
17
Live, Work, and Play
Sun Country Health Region (SCHR)
covers the southeast portion of
Saskatchewan from the Manitoba
border to the U.S. border, encompassing serene prairie and parkland.
T
here are 27 facilities and 34 public
health programs for 53,000 people
in SCHR. The region covers 33,239
square kilometres. The goal of the
region is to continue to build a province of
healthy people and communities, while providing an effective, comprehensive, and
equitable range of services. SCHR operates
with the highest standard of care, by using
evidence-based research and guidelines to
deliver that care.
Robin Dueck, who studied in Edmonton
and grew up in southern Alberta, was also
attracted by the generous provincial and
regional relocation grants but has found
life is rich. “I’ve never worked with a group
of nurses who get along so well,” she says.
“If you like the people you work with,
that’s a huge part of the job. I’m contracted for three years, but I can see
myself staying. I love it.”
Jenny grew up in a city but grew tired
of city problems. “I had to travel for 45
minutes just to get to work in Regina,”
she says. “Here, I’m always early because
I forget that it’s only going to take me a
couple of minutes.”
Two new registered nurses who came
from bigger centres to live and work in Sun
Country Health Region are very enthusiastic about the environment they’ve
encountered in southeast Saskatchewan.
Robin grew up in the small town of
Coaldale, Alberta, where she knew
everyone on the block. “A city is great
for school, but I was ready to get back
to something smaller,” she says. Both
Jenny and Robin are gaining valuable
experience in the hospital where they
work in Weyburn.
“My boyfriend and I bought a house here
and we’re thinking we might not move back
to Regina after my contract is finished,”
says Jenny Reslein, who studied in Regina
and Saskatoon. “We’ve really started to like
it here,” she says.
“My mom’s a nurse in Lethbridge, but I
think I’m getting a better experience
here,” says Robin. “Because there are fewer
nurses, I get called to the emergency
department more often than in a city,” she
says. “That’s just one example.”
A PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK
18
Robin says the team is key. “Whatever
professional we work with, from the pharmacist to the doctor to the licensed practical nurse, everyone uses their first name
and works together,” she says.
REGIONAL GOALS
The Sun Country Health Region has
adopted goals that are respected by all
those involved in health care:
• To provide health services
that are reasonably accessible
and available to all residents
of the region;
• To increase the awareness
of the health services provided
by the region;
• To develop an education strategy
that places greater emphasis on the
wellness philosophy of health care,
including health promotion,
the prevention of illness,
health maintenance, and the
promotion of independent living;
• To recruit, retain, and develop
the region's human resources;
• To be fiscally responsible; and
• To ensure regular assessment
of the services provided
in the region.
For more information on the health
region, see p. 26. I
Employees Thrive
in Sunrise Health Region
Nestled in the parklands of eastcentral Saskatchewan, with its recreation and relaxed lifestyle, Sunrise
Health Region is a natural draw, but
according to new employees, the
supportive workplace environment
is the primary attraction. “Working in
Sunrise Health Region has opened
my eyes to all that I can be as a
nurse,” says Rebecca Maciesza, a
supernumerary graduate RN at
Canora Hospital.
T
he supernumerary option, available in Saskatchewan, influenced
Rebecca’s choice of employer. “It
is scary coming out of training,
where clinical time is so short and spread
out. At Canora Hospital, I didn’t have to
hit the ground running but could work for
the first four months alongside my mentor, with the same work schedule.”
Sunrise encourages staff participation
in research and health system innovation,
and the Saskatchewan vision of putting
patients first is wholeheartedly endorsed.
care services. There are six acute care
hospitals in Canora, Melville, Preeceville,
Kamsack, Esterhazy, and Yorkton, which is
the regional centre with specialist services.
“I am surrounded by strong, fantastic
people who are willing to teach and listen,” says Rebecca. “I am learning so
much. The whole team takes time to talk
to patients, engage and understand
them, and refer to other supports in the
health region. I am amazed by their holistic approach. Large hospitals can be like
factory work; you do your bit and then
pass patients on. In a small hospital, you
use all of your skills and really connect
with people.”
The health region offers continuing education grants and opportunities for career
growth. “Our health services manager is
always forwarding education opportunities
to us,” says Rebecca. “A few short months
after my arrival, I was offered attendance at
an infection control workshop, and I will be
the hospital liaison with the regional infection control nurses. I would never have had
that kind of opportunity as a new nurse in a
larger centre.”
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Sunrise serves 58,000 people. The health
region has health centres in Foam Lake,
Invermay, Ituna, Langenburg, Norquay, and
Theodore, delivering combinations of longterm care, primary health, and community
Sunrise Health Region guarantees fulltime employment for two years for both
registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. The region provides orientations in two departments, depending
upon the nurse’s areas of interest and the
needs of the region. 19
INTERESTING INCENTIVES
QUALITY OF LIFE
The east edge of the health region borders Manitoba. While studying nursing in
Brandon, Manitoba, Jamie Schlecter was
employed by Sunrise as a special-care
aide. After graduation, Jamie returned to
Sunrise, taking advantage of the guarantee
of full-time employment and the recruitment and retention incentives.
A city of 17,260 people, Yorkton is the
hub of the health region. Major highways
intersect at Yorkton, linking the health
region to Saskatoon, 330 km northwest,
and the provincial capital of Regina, 200
km southwest. People are drawn to the
area by safe communities, a lower cost of
living, the relaxed lifestyle, and the abundant and affordable youth recreation, golf
courses, freshwater lakes, two provincial
parks, downhill skiing, snowmobiling,
hunting, and fishing.
The health region also has 13 long-term
care facilities, many with adjoining hospitals and home care offices. Four primary
health sites employ nurse practitioners,
and there is a strong regional community
program of home care, public health, mental health, addiction services, and palliative
care. This opens up the opportunity to gain
experience in different areas of nursing.
After seven years working in Sunrise as a
special-care aide, employee Lorie Kurtz
dreamed of becoming an LPN. Returning to
school with education grant assistance,
Lorie graduated a year and a half ago. By
choice, she works part-time and relief at St.
Peter’s Hospital and St. Paul Lutheran Home,
which link to form the Melville Health
Centre. Lorie encourages new nurses to
experience work in a variety of settings.
“The RNs embraced me and walked me
through procedures with the doctors
while I built up confidence. Working hospital and nursing home settings uses my
full scope of practice.”
20
“I have a good life here; the community
treats me like I am one of their own,” says
RPN Susan Falodun, who moved from
Nigeria, where she worked in a major
psychiatric hospital. The organizational
structure and the flow of information in
Sunrise Health Region also impressed her.
“When you are informed, you know your
right from your left and where you fit.”
“For a year until I arrived, the human
resource manager for the health region
kept in touch with me. My colleagues at
Canora Gateway Lodge befriended and
encouraged me; they are the best people
I have ever worked with.”
Sunrise Health Region builds on the
strength of its people. With Saskatchewan’s booming economy, tax and education incentives, relocation grants, and
record employment opportunities, the
future looks bright for Sunrise Health
Region employees and their families. For
more information, see p. 26 or visit
www.sunrisehealthregion.sk.ca. I
The Cancer Control Leader
Founded on a culture of excellence, the Saskatchewan Cancer
Agency is a provincial leader in
cancer control. Serving the entire
province through two cancer centres, the Saskatchewan Cancer
Agency has a long and valued
tradition of providing patientcentered care. Since the early
1930s, the province of Saskatchewan
has provided a cancer control
program for the people of the
province, and it continues to
operate today.
A CAREER WITH A DIFFERENCE
The nurses are the backbone of the
patient team, responsible for providing
high-quality holistic care to oncology
patients during their entire cancer care
experience. This includes assessment,
intervention, treatment coordination and
administration, teaching, counseling, support, and follow-up. Nurses with the
agency will find that their career is
rewarding and touches the lives of people
during a challenging time in their lives.
As a member of the patient’s care team,
nurses have the opportunity to grow and
learn new skills and expand their knowledge on a regular basis as the agency
looks to improve care and treatment.
QUALITY CANCER TREATMENT,
DETECTION, AND SCREENING
The agency operates a variety of
facilities and programs, such as the
Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina, the
Saskatoon Cancer Centre, cancer
patient lodges in Regina and Saskatoon,
a cancer research unit, the Community
Oncology Program of Saskatchewan,
the Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant
Program, the Screening Program for
Breast Cancer, and the Prevention
Program for Cervical Cancer. As well, a
new screening program for colorectal
cancer will begin in spring 2009.
TEAMWORK AND RESPECT
The agency has a staff of 530 employees. This includes health professionals
as well as experts in other fields who
help the agency function and provide
care. The agency is also conscious about
ensuring a healthy work-life balance,
and currently, employees work Monday
to Friday.
In order to deliver high-quality care
for patients, the agency strives to develop a work environment that is motivating and rewarding, and where the
main characteristics are teamwork and
respect for each other and all patients.
For further information regarding a
rewarding and challenging career within
the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, see
p. 26 for contact information or visit
www.saskcancer.ca. I
21
Saskatchewan
Ministry of
Health
CYPRESS HEALTH REGION
SASKATCHEWAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Attracting and keeping health professionals is a top priority
of the Saskatchewan government. As part of this commitment, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health offers a variety of
recruitment incentives and initiatives, including:
PROVINCIAL NURSING
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
SITES: 21
STAFF: 1,700 total
NURSES: 5 NPs, 275 RNs/RPNs, 122 LPNs
New graduates are guaranteed a position to work full-time
alongside experienced nurses, enabling them to transition into
a permanent position with the necessary practical experience.
PROVINCIAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY
(HealthCareersInSask.ca)
HealthCareersInSask.ca connects health care
with career opportunities in health regions
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The recruitment
Web site HealthCareersInSask.ca provides a free
job search service and accelerates the province’s
reach a wider audience.
LOCATIONS:
Cabri, Climax, Eastend, Gull Lake,
Herbert, Hodgeville, Leader, Mankota,
Maple Creek, Ponteix, Shaunavon, Swift
Current, and Vanguard
workers
and the
agency’s
one-stop
ability to
PROVINCIAL GRANT INCENTIVES
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health offers relocation and
recruitment grants through the Saskatchewan Health
Relocation Program and the Saskatchewan Health Northern,
Rural, or Hard-to-Recruit Program.
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Acute care, home care, community and
population health, long-term care, mental
health, addiction services, support services, and emergency services
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
Graduate Nurse Job Program: Provides a
temporary full-time four-month supernumerary position and extensive orientation
period to nursing graduates.
Nurse Mentorship Program: Pairs new
nurses with an experienced nurse to ensure
a supportive transition into our workplaces.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Students interested in exploring the health
region are encouraged to contact us for
summer jobs and practicum placements.
Incentive packages: In addition to the
provincial relocation and recruitment
grants, Cypress Health Region offers up to
$5,000 in relocation assistance, paid provincial licensure, excellent wage rates, an
extensive benefits plan, low cost of living,
and much more!
In exchange for grants, health employees must meet all eligibility requirements and agree to work in the province’s publicly
funded health system for a specified time.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Workforce Planning Branch
Saskatchewan Ministry of Health
3475 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 6X6
CANADA
www.HealthCareersInSask.ca
[email protected]
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Cypress Health Region
Employment &
HR Development Manager
429 4th Ave. N.E.
Swift Current, SK S9H 2J9
Phone: (306) 778-5256
Fax: (306) 778-5157
E-mail: [email protected]
www.cypresshealth.ca
FIVE HILLS HEALTH REGION
HEARTLAND HEALTH REGION
LOCATIONS: Assiniboia, Central Butte,
Craik, Gravelbourg, Kincaid, Moose Jaw,
Mossbank, Rockglen, and Willow Bunch
LOCATIONS:
Biggar, Davidson, Kerrobert, Kindersley,
Outlook, Rosetown, and Unity
SITES: 13
SITES: 16
NUMBER OF BEDS: 116 acute care, 532
long-term care, 14 mental health/psychiatric, 139 others
NUMBER OF BEDS: 492 long-term care,
71 acute care, 50 others
STAFF: 1,800
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Acute care, geriatric/long-term care, transition beds, home care, public health, mental
health, and addiction services, as well as CT
scanning, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy,
diabetic counseling, cardiac rehabilitation,
and an exercise program
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
All employees participate in a general orientation program with additional nursing
orientation and site- and unit-specific orientation programs provided. Professional
development days, scheduled annually
throughout the region, provide training and
information on a variety of topics. Pairing
new graduate nurses with an experienced
nurse, the nurse mentorship program facilitates and supports new graduate nurses
into their professional role within the
region. Using communication and information technology, Telehealth Saskatchewan
supports the delivery of clinical care and
ongoing professional education services.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
The region participates in the SIAST Nursing
Education Program (NEPS) at Moose Jaw
Union Hospital, which is designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills,
abilities, values, and attitudes necessary for
professional nursing practice. Summer employment opportunities as senior assistants
are available at Moose Jaw Union Hospital
for nursing students who have completed
their third year.
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Five Hills Health Region
Human Resources Department
455 Fairford Street E.
Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1H3
Phone: (306) 691-2625
Fax: (306) 694-0388
E-mail: [email protected]
www.fhhr.ca
STAFF: 1,686
NURSES: 260 RNs, 104 LPNs, 6 NPs
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Communicable disease coordination, public health nursing, public health inspection,
public health nutrition, dental health education, adult counseling, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, child and youth services,
mental health rehabilitation services,
addiction recovery and treatment services
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
HHR accommodates all nursing students
that request a clinical placement here in
Heartland as it is an excellent recruitment
tool and allows students to become familiar with rural nursing and Heartland as
an employer.
Heartland has been looking for creative
ideas, in addition to relief and multi-site
positions. Success has been experienced
with anticipatory hiring practices such as
posting permanent positions to replace
temporary vacancies where it is unlikely
the permanent incumbent will return or
when anticipating retirements. In reviewing potential retirements/leaves of
absence and addressing recruitment and
retention needs, the region has implemented 11 permanent RN relief positions.
Initial review of these relief positions has
indicated a significant reduction of overtime following their introduction.
KEEWATIN YATTHÉ
HEALTH REGION
LOCATIONS:
Beauval, Buffalo Narrow, Green Lake, Ile
à la Crosse, and La Loche
NUMBER OF BEDS: 20 acute,
25 long-term care
STAFF: 350
NURSES: 48 (RN, NP, CNS, CRNA, LPN,
LNA, CNM)
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Emergency, acute care, trauma, longterm, public health, community health,
and home care
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
A six-week comprehensive orientation
program. Participation in a mentorship
program for new nurses.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Summer employment opportunities
are available for first-, second-, and
third-year nursing students. Fourthyear nursing students are eligible for
practicum placement.
Northern Benefits:
• Northern District Allowance
• Special Northern Leave
• Clothing Allowance
• Retention Allowance
• Vacation Allowance
• Medical Travel Allowance
• Affordable Housing
In addition to relocation grants, the
Ministry of Health offers northern work
grants. (see p. 22)
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Heartland Health Region
Recruitment & Retention
Box 2110
Rosetown, SK S0L 2V0
Phone: (306) 867-9701
Fax: (306) 867-1877
E-mail: [email protected]
www.hrha.sk.ca
Keewatin Yatthé Regional
Health Authority
Chris Hansen, Recruitment/
Retention Coordinator
P.O. Box 40
Buffalo Narrows, SK S0M 0J0
Phone: (306) 235-2220
Toll Free: 1-866-274-8506
Fax: (306) 235-4604
E-mail: [email protected]
www.kyrha.ca
23
KELSEY TRAIL HEALTH REGION
LOCATIONS:
Arborfield, Carrot River, Cumberland,
Hudson Bay, Kelvington, Melfort,
Nipawin, Porcupine Plain, Rose Valley,
Smeaton, St. Brieux, and Tisdale
MAMAWETAN CHURCHILL
RIVER HEALTH REGION
PRAIRIE NORTH HEALTH
REGION
LOCATIONS:
Creighton, La Ronge, Pinehouse, Sandy
Bay, and Weyakwin
LOCATIONS:
Battleford, Cut Knife, Edam,
Lloydminster, Loon Lake, Maidstone,
Meadow Lake, Neilburg, North
Battleford, Paradise Hill, St. Walburg,
and Turtleford
SITES: 6 primary health care sites and 27
community health services locations
NUMBER OF BEDS: La Ronge Health
Centre: 18 acute care, 4 short stay, 14 for
residents, 2 respite
NUMBER OF BEDS: 116 acute care, 482
long-term care
STAFF: 300
STAFF: 1,580 and approximately
35 physicians
NURSES: 243 RNs/RPNs, 106 LPNs, 6 NPs
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
General nursing duties, including emergency/outpatient, inpatient acute care, general surgery, palliative care, chemotherapy,
obstetrical, psychiatric, nurse practitioners,
chronic disease nurse educators, home care,
hemodialysis, public health, long-term care,
and northern nursing
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
Four-day general orientation program,
including cultural awareness training, PART,
TLR, WHMIS, immunizations, and mask
fitting. Extensive on-site orientation and
mentoring program.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Public health, primary health, acute care,
home care, and infection control practicum
experiences available.
Incentives: $2,000 recruitment incentive
and up to $2,000 for substantial moving
expenses.
NURSES: 72 (RN, NP, RPN, LPN)
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
RN: General duty nurse – acute care, LRHC,
public health nurse, community health
nurse, chronic disease nurse, public health
specialist, nurse practitioner, primary care
nurse under transfer of medical function,
diabetes nurse educator, communicable
disease/immunization coordinator, home
care nurse, nurse epidemiologist. LPN:
acute care, home care, Kids First North,
communicable disease control. RPN: community mental health nurse
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
One-week general staff orientation to
the region, including mandatory training.
Individual program orientation, including
mentoring for different periods of time,
dependent upon department.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
The hiring of nursing summer students
is a high priority with preference going
to students who are residents of the
health region.
Incentives: In addition to relocation grants,
the Ministry of Health offers northern work
grants. (see p. 22)
NUMBER OF BEDS: 184 acute care, 612
supportive/continuing care, 22 mental
health acute, 156 mental health longterm rehabilitation, 18 addictions
STAFF: 2,900
NURSES: 860 (RN, RPN, NP, LPN)
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN
THESE SERVICES:
Emergency, intensive care, general medicine, primary health care, rural health
care, long-term care, mental health, and
nurse management
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
All new employees are required to participate in a regional orientation. Specific facility/program orientation follows.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Prairie North offers practicum placements to students in all health care
fields. Free accommodation is offered to
students who choose The Battlefords as
their practicum placement. Nurse aide
and senior assist positions are available
to nursing students in the summer.
Incentive packages: Prairie North also
offers attractive recruitment and relocation
incentives, and a generous bursary program.
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Kelsey Trail Health Region
Human Resources
Box 1480
Melfort, SK S0E 1A0
Phone: (306) 752-7581
Fax: (306) 752-2276
E-mail: [email protected]
www.kelseytrailhealth.ca
24
Mamawetan Churchill River
Health Region
Susan Halland,
Director of Human Resources
Box 6000
La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0
Phone: (306) 425-4849
Fax: (306) 425-5432
E-mail: [email protected]
www.mcrrha.sk.ca
North Battleford HR Office
Saskatchewan Hospital
Administration Wing, Box 39
North Battleford, SK S9A 2X8
Phone: (306) 446-6815
Fax: (306) 446-6810
E-mail: [email protected]
Lloydminster HR Office
Lloydminster Hospital
3820 - 43rd Avenue
Lloydminster, SK S9V 1Y5
Phone: (306) 820-6181
Fax: (306) 825-9880
E-mail: [email protected]
www.pnrha.ca
PRINCE ALBERT PARKLAND
HEALTH REGION
REGINA QU’APPELLE
HEALTH REGION
LOCATION: North-central Saskatchewan
LOCATIONS:
Balcarres, Broadview, Cupar, Fort
Qu’Appelle, Grenfell, Imperial, Indian
Head, Lestock, Lumsden, Montmartre,
Moosomin, Raymore, Regina, Southey,
Whitewood, and Wolseley
SITES: 2 acute care, 12 long-term care,
mental health inpatient, and several
outpatient locations
NUMBER OF BEDS: 142 acute care,
560 long-term care, 44 mental
health inpatient
STAFF: 2,475
NURSES: 474 full-time equivalents
(RN, RPN, NP, LPN)
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
ER, OR, ICU, medical/surgical, ambulatory
care, day surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics,
mental health, chemotherapy, renal dialysis,
long-term care, home care, public health
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
All new hires receive a one-week regional
general orientation. All RNs, RPNs, and
LPNs hold positions on specific units
that have comprehensive identified
orientation processes. The unit-specific
orientation is facilitated through the
nursing unit managers, nurse educators,
and staff members. All new grads are supported through the preceptorship and
mentorship programs. All new grads
receive a free membership for "Nursing
the Future," which is supported by the
region's corporate membership.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Students enrolled in professional nursing
programs that have completed one or two
years of training are eligible to work as
special-care aides. Those who have completed three years are eligible for senior
nursing assistant positions.
Incentives: In addition to the provincial
incentive programs, the region offers bursaries and other incentives for hard-torecruit positions. Please ask about what
incentives you might be eligible to receive.
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Prince Albert Parkland Health Region
Human Resources, 3rd Floor
1521 6th Avenue West
Prince Albert, SK S6V 5K1
Phone: (306) 765-6430
Fax: (306) 765-6446
E-mail: [email protected]
www.paphr.sk.ca
NUMBER OF BEDS: 706 acute care,
48 rehabilitation, 1,971 long-term care
STAFF: 9,067
NURSES: 2,548
(1,956 RNs/RPNs, 592 LPNs)
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Critical care, emergency, general surgery,
orthopedics, operating room, hemodialysis, women’s health, oncology,
endoscopy, medicine, labour and birth,
home care, public health, extended
care/long-term care, ambulatory care,
palliative care, pediatrics, day surgery,
psychiatry, neurosciences, neonatal
intensive care unit, and rehabilitation
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
Unit-specific orientation for all nurses and a
mentorship program for new RNs, in which
they are supernumerary for up to 17 weeks.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
After completing year three of their BSN
program, students are eligible to be hired as
senior assistants to gain valuable work
experience. We also have nursing students
working in a variety of roles, including
special-care aides.
Incentives: In addition to incentives
offered by the Ministry of Health, the
region offers relocation assistance to graduate nurses/RNs/RPNs/LPNs. The region
also sponsors training opportunities in critical care and operating room techniques.
SASKATOON HEALTH REGION
LOCATIONS:
Borden, Cudworth, Dalmeny, Delisle,
Duck Lake, Humboldt, Langham, Lanigan,
Leroy, Middle Lake, Nokomis, Quill Lake,
Rosthern, Saskatoon, Spalding,
Strasbourg, Wadena, Wakaw, Warman,
Watrous, Watson, and Wynyard
NUMBER OF BEDS: 822
STAFF: 12,332
NURSES: 2,870 (RN, RPN, LPN)
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Emergency, ICU, coronary care, progressive care, medicine, surgery, home care,
orthopedics, obstetrics, public health,
operating room, pediatrics, hemodialysis,
long-term care, psychiatry, neonatal
intensive care unit, and prenatal intensive
care unit
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
Nursing staff attend a general nursing orientation once they begin employment with
the region. The general nursing orientation
includes information that nurses need to
know to enable them to begin their work
on clinical units and areas. Unit/clinical
area/facility-specific orientation is also
provided and supported by the manager,
the clinical nurse educator, and experienced unit staff. New staff are provided
with buddy shifts where they work alongside an experienced nurse to facilitate integration into the unit, area, or facility.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Students of the NEPS program are hired
into care-providing roles under SEIU. The
health region also provides students in both
the NEPS, practical nursing and continuing
care assistant courses, clinical placements
through all phases of their education.
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
2180 23rd Avenue
Regina, SK S4S 0A5
Phone: (306) 766-5208
E-mail: [email protected]
www.rqhealth.ca
Saskatoon Health Region
John Campbell,
Senior Recruitment Consultant
People Strategies – 103 Hospital Drive
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8
Phone: (306) 655-6301
Fax: (306) 655-2443
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca
25
SUN COUNTRY HEALTH REGION
SUNRISE HEALTH REGION
LOCATIONS:
Arcola, Bengough, Carlyle, Carnduff,
Coronach, Estevan, Fillmore,
Gainsborough, Kipling, Lampman,
Maryfield, Midale, Oxbow, Pangman,
Radville, Redvers, Stoughton, Wawota,
and Weyburn
LOCATIONS:
Canora, Esterhazy, Foam Lake, Invermay,
Ituna, Kamsack, Langenburg, Melville,
Norquay, Preeceville, Saltcoats,
Theodore, and Yorkton
NUMBER OF BEDS: 885
STAFF: 2,300
NURSES: 346 RN/RPNs, 108 LPNs,
690 SCAs
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN
THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES:
Acute, long-term care, home care, infection control, dialysis, psychiatric, public
health, diabetes educator, palliative care,
and community mental health nurse
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
New RNs to a facility receive a minimum of
6 weeks orientation. New graduates work
under the supervision of an RN or RPN until
they are licensed.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Clinical placements, practicum, summer as
SCA, summer as nurse assistant.
Incentives: Sun Country Health Region
offers generous bursaries for students and
financial incentives to health care professionals to move here.
NUMBER OF BEDS:
185 acute, 865 LTC, 34 program
respite/palliative/convalescent, 18 mental health inpatient beds
STAFF: 2,700 professional and support staff
NURSES: 680 (RN, RPN, LPN, NP,
nurse managers)
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Emergency room, medicine, palliative,
obstetric, psychiatric, pediatric, surgery,
home care, mental health, addictions, rehabilitation, public health, and primary health
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
The region offers a one-day general regional orientation to all newly hired employees.
A general nursing orientation is also offered
to new nursing staff on a monthly basis. The
nursing orientation program is adjusted to
meet the needs of individual nurses and
departments. A supernumerary option is
available with new nurses able to work the
first four months alongside a mentor, with
the same work schedule.
SASKATCHEWAN
CANCER AGENCY
LOCATIONS:
Regina and Saskatoon
SITES: 2 cancer centres (Regina,
Saskatoon), 2 screening offices (Regina,
Saskatoon), 2 lodges (Regina, Saskatoon),
and 3 office locations (Regina,
Saskatoon)
STAFF: 530
NURSES: 100–110 RNs working in
various positions
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
WITHIN THESE SERVICES:
Oncology, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hematology/stem cell, clinical trials,
and client navigation
ORIENTATION PROGRAM:
New staff are provided with orientation
that will assist them in understanding
the agency and in doing their work.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
occasionally employs student graduate
nurses.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
May be available for summer employment
and/or school breaks in various departments and facilities. Student job shadows,
work experience, and practicum placement
opportunities are also available.
Incentives: Along with grants offered by the
Ministry of Health, Sunrise Health Region
offers a guarantee of full-time employment
for up to two years to nursing applicants
interested in relocating to the region.
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Sun Country Health Region
Box 2003
Weyburn, SK S4H 2Z9
Phone: 1-866-578-7247 (in Canada and US)
or (306) 842-8320
Fax: (306) 842-8740
E-mail: [email protected]
www.suncountry.sk.ca
Sunrise Health Region
Human Resources
270 Bradbrooke Drive
Yorkton, SK S3N 2K6
Phone: (306) 786-0737
Fax: (306) 786-0741
E-mail: [email protected]
www.sunrisehealthregion.sk.ca
26
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT:
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
Reg Padbury
204-3775 Pasqua Street
Regina, SK S4S 6W8
Phone: (306) 791-2141
Fax: (306) 584-2733
E-mail: [email protected]
www.saskcancer.ca