The Hub Open, online nursing education critical to health care

Open, online nursing education critical to health care

By: Bryan Alary

Athabasca University teaches more undergraduate nursing students, nurse practitioners in Canada

Communities in rural Alberta have long struggled to attract and retain health-care workers, and often watch young people leave for training in larger centres.

Open, online nursing education plays an important role in the health-care system in Alberta and beyond. Athabasca University (AU) teaches more undergraduate nurses and nurse practitioners than anywhere in Canada.

Through enhanced partnerships with the provincial government, AU can play a larger role in training nurses across rural Alberta. Learn how AU students, alumni, and faculty are making a difference in their communities.


How online and remote nursing education can help treat Alberta’s ailing health-care system

Students and grads working in rural communities share why they chose AU to advance their careers as nurses and nurse practitioners. Online learning—and AU in particular—can help address strains to the health-care system and in remote and rural communities in particular, says President Dr. Alex Clark.

Read full story


Treating health inequity in a remote Indigenous community

After graduating from AU’s Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner program, Kayla Milley chose to work in a remote northern Alberta community because she felt she could make a difference in the health and lives of the area’s Indigenous People.

Read Kayla’s story


Nurse practitioner student wants to ‘do more’ for rural health care

Chantelle Gray chose AU’s Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner program because she felt she could “do more” for Alberta’s health-care system and her hometown of Grande Prairie.

Read Chantelle’s story


Nursing student aims to improve health of Albertans

Registered nurse Jennifer Kirk used the pandemic as an opportunity to begin a Master of Nursing degree at AU while studying from abroad. Nearly about to graduate, she’s ready to move back to Alberta and support health-care workers and the health system.

Read Jennifer’s story


Nursing grad advocates for equity in health care

After encountering racism in health care, Kimberley Jones (Master of Nursing ’22) wants to be an advocate for change.

Read Kimberley’s story


Alumni award winner plans to transform health-care system

Julia Cornester (Master of Nursing ’22) of Calgary, winner of the 2022 Future Alumni Award, hopes to move into health-care leadership roles to make changes at the policy level.

Read Julia’s story

Published:
  • November 14, 2023
Guest Blog from:
Bryan Alary