Over $830,000 goes to strengthening Manitoba's health-care system

Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytechnic) is gaining 30 new nursing training seats to maximize the potential for more nurses in the future.

Today the Manitoba Government sent out a news release indicating that they are investing over $830,000 towards increasing the number of seats for training nurses at RRC.

"Our government is strengthening healthcare. Investing in nurses who are an integral part of our healthcare team is building our province's health human resource capacity. We have been working closely with post-secondary institutions to sustainably increase the capacity of existing nursing programs throughout the province," says Health Minister, Audrey Gordon.

This investment hopes to reduce the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on our healthcare system, causing a shortage of nurses in our province.

"Our government's multi-faceted action plan is responding effectively to labour market shortages in the healthcare system that were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic," says Skills and Immigration Minister, Jon Reyes. "This investment brings us even closer to fulfilling our July 2021 commitment to add 400 seats in nursing programs at post-secondary institutions across the province."

The money will go towards adding 30 new seats to the nursing program at RRC Polytechnic, renovating the necessary learning spaces, purchasing equipment, the wages of new staff, supplies and other operational needs.

"The work we do at RRC Polytechnic anticipates and aligns with the nursing and healthcare needs of Manitoba and this announcement recognizes the importance of investing in post-secondary institutions that provide highly trained graduates," says Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytechnic. "We are ready to grow and expand our programs as needed to prepare students to contribute on day one and in turn strengthen our province. We expect that all 30 seats will be filled by the end of the 2022-23 academic year."

In total, the Government of Manitoba has invested more than $30 million to establish 289 seats to support the education and recruitment of future nurses. 

The ministers continue working towards their 2021 commitment of funding 400 seats in post-secondary institutions throughout Manitoba.