College of Nursing Update

Over the next three years, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is taking bold, responsive steps to expand access to nursing education in the north and other regions. This will fill unmet needs in the province. The university’s plan is to redistribute the finite number of nursing education seats while retaining the same number of places for students overall.

It will take detailed planning to be successfully responsive, and this process has begun. We are already seeing how this affects the work of the College of Nursing. We will find solutions to enable widened access to USask nursing education. We know the College’s highly regarded programming makes a difference in the province.

Change like this is difficult. Concerns spanning over a decade have been raised by many faculty in the College of Nursing. Within her first six months as dean, Dr. Solina Richter is actively engaged in hearing these concerns, and has initiated several key actions to advance and unify the College. This will take time.

A vote of non-confidence in the leadership team of the college was held on Friday. The vote was not unanimous but was supported by a majority of the faculty. This is important insight into the concerns that have been building and the importance of working together to elevate education led by the USask College of Nursing.

The dean has the full support of the president, provost and USask senior leaders to successfully position the College in providing high-quality nursing education across the province.

Regular updates will be provided as planning advances.

- Airini, Provost and Vice President Academic