UNB welcomes nursing students from India to Fredericton
Author: Marcia Seitz-Ehler
Posted on Aug 9, 2023
Category: UNB Fredericton
This morning, UNB president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Paul J, Mazerolle and Dr. Lorna Butler, the dean of the faculty of nursing on the Fredericton campus, were joined by representatives from the provincial and municipal governments, Horizon Health, Shannex and the Nurses Association of New Brunswick to welcome nursing students and faculty from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) to Fredericton. The visit is part of the UNB-MAHE dual degree in nursing program.
As part of UNB’s ongoing partnership with the provincial government to fill staffing gaps in the health-care system, UNB created a dual degree in nursing with MAHE, which aims to bring 100 National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) licensed nurses to New Brunswick from India between 2025 and 2029. The program accepted its first cohort of students last year.
Dr. Mazerolle shared that the initial cohort of 25 students in India all successfully completed their first year and progressed to year two and 25 new students have now begun year one of the degree.
As the dual degree program progresses, UNB is creating a learn where you live pathway for year three nursing students at MAHE to experience a New Brunswick preceptorship program. This preceptorship will serve as an introduction to New Brunswick’s culture and health-care system. The nine nursing students and two faculty members from MAHE are in Fredericton for a two-week clinical/cultural experience that will aid in the development of a preceptorship for Indian nursing students in 2024.
Because the Indian Nursing Council approved 25 additional seats for MAHE’s nursing program in conjunction with the UNB program, the number of Manipal nursing graduates will continue to support the Indian health-care system. “It is important to us that the program does not have a negative impact on health care in India” said Dr. Mazerolle.
Upon graduation, the dual degree students will be qualified and eligible to write the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for licensure in Canada. Graduates will pass their exam in India before immigrating to New Brunswick and arrive in the province ready to work as nurses.
Representatives from Horizon Health and Shannex spoke about their support of the dual degree through providing clinical sites for the preceptorship program. as well as the important roles nurses play in supporting patients and their families across the province.
Through its dedicated partnerships with government and healthcare, UNB has created this innovative program that will bring new nurses to the province who will help fill staffing gaps in the healthcare system and improve the lives of all New Brunswickers.