NNEP Nursing Program is a winner at Lakehead University

We want to tell everyone in northwestern Ontario and the rest of Canada about the NNEP program, which was established in 1987. This means the Native Nurses Entry Program (NNEP) will be celebrating its 28th year as an access program to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree program at Lakehead University! The program has consistently attracted and graduated students who have not only completed the access program, but have gone on to complete the four-year collaborative and in some cases three-year compressed BScN. Their success is a testament to the dedication and support offered to every student who enters the NNEP program at Lakehead University. In addition, we believe the success of this program has been built through our recognition and support for the needs and aspirations of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) people.
Lakehead and NAN have been working in partnership since the beginning of this program to ensure the people of the 49 First Nations in NAN, as well as all other First Nation communities across northwestern Ontario, Aboriginal individuals living in and near Thunder Bay and the Metis population, have access to quality education and skills development.
In 1987, we had 14 Indigenous students enter the program and every year since we have worked hard to increase enrolment. We are excited to be building relationships with our graduates and their communities, and creating stronger links to potential students now entering high schools in the NAN territory and every city in northwestern Ontario.
Each year since its inception, a solid number of NNEP graduates have become fully qualified BScN nurses. However, 2013 has been a very special year; Convocation 2013 saw 12 NNEP/BScN students graduate with their Bachelor of Science in Nursing!
When polled, the students had this to say about their time in the NNEP program:
Gerri Goodman, 2013 NNEP, BScN Graduate, form Animbigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek stated, “the NNEP prepared me for the Nursing program, and what I liked the most about NNEP was the friendships I had developed, this was the biggest influence, we helped each other out personally and professionally.
Cheyenne Vandermeer, 3rd Year NNEP BScN Nursing student from Couchiching First Nation, stated, “the NNEP was another doorway for me to get into the Nursing Program, I was able to meet new people from various communities, and all-in-all it has been a valued experience”.
Delphine Yellowhead, 2nd Year NNEP BScN Nursing student from Nibinamik First Nation stated, “although I struggled, the staff and faculty were very supportive. When I needed help on anything either personally or academically, they were very encouraging, they would lift me up when I was feeling down”.
Jewelle Kakegamic, community member of Sandy lake First Nation, recent NNEP Graduate going into first year nursing stated “Without the NNEP program, I wouldn’t have been able to go on to the Nursing Program”.
It’s wonderful to hear from our students, and if you know anyone else that would like to share their story, please let us know, because we want to be able to tell everyone about our student successes and encourage them to join us here at Lakehead in whatever course they feel is right for them.
Why is the NNEP an important part of the educational programs offered at Lakehead? We know how much northern communities need their own people working in the nursing stations, and how important it is to build capacity and pride within our own members. The Aboriginal community and their own students, adult learners, and professionals need to be on the front lines of health care and community support. Our people deserve to see their own graduates in place assisting young mothers and children, grandmothers, and community members with their health needs.
Many students from all disciplines come to Lakehead because of their desire to offer services and support to the development of community, health and governance programs. Many have since returned to the north to complete their cycle of learning and take care of their Elders and members, and are proud to be able to help them.
Education has been referred to as the new “the white buffalo” for Aboriginal people because it is becoming a sacred representation of strength and pride as Indigenous peoples right across Canada reconstitute their cultures, languages and pride in the future. Aboriginal people are going to school, young and old, and graduating from programs like NNEP, and offering assistance and administrative, health and governance supports to their own people.
Life-long learning is something that is increasingly meaningful in every community, and universities like Lakehead are embracing adult learners, and Native Access students who have decided to upgrade after dropping out of high school or working at jobs they would like to upgrade to careers.
NNEP would also like to recognize and congratulate the 2012-2013 students who will be starting their first year of the BScN Program in the fall of 2013. The Office of Aboriginal Initiatives and our staff and teachers are here to help you succeed and we work hard to provide the supports, direction and a friendly smile that will make your tenure here at Lakehead not only educational, but filled with positive memories and new lifelong friendships.
We know that the way to make life-long friends is to reach out to other students and build the confidence to approach the staff and faculty at NNEC, Eabametoong Education Authority, Matawa Tribal Council, Seven Generations Education Institute, the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives at Lakehead University, and wonderful staff at the Native Nurses Entry Program about our cultural and academic supports and the various services we offer.
On behalf of the Native Nurses Entry Program (NNEP) management, staff and faculty, we would like to congratulate all of the students who started out in the NNEP within the last 28 years on their achievement of the Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree.