June 25 recognized as Personal Support Worker Day in Northwest Territories
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – Each year, on the last Tuesday of June, the Northwest Territories recognizes the invaluable contributions that Personal Support Workers (PSWs) make to the health and wellbeing of residents across the territory.
Aurora College has been offering a Personal Support Worker Certificate since 2008. The program has been delivered in-person each year at Yellowknife North Slave Campus, and has also been offered at Aurora Campus in Inuvik at in Behchokǫ̀. In 2019-2020, the College piloted a distance learning option that allowed students to take online PSW courses on a full-time or part-time basis. Since then, students from every region in the Northwest Territories taken advantage of the distance learning option.
Being able to study from their home community without leaving family, friends and support systems has meant success for many students across the NWT. In addition, the program’s success can be attributed to the tremendous support and strong working relationships with NWT health authorities that provide practicum opportunities in their facilities.
In honour of Personal Support Worker Day, June 25, Aurora College would like to recognize and extend a sincere thank you to the Personal Support Workers who have preceptored students in the distance program. They have provided guidance, support, expertise and mentorship to practicum students in Fort Simpson, Hay River, Fort Smith, Behchokǫ̀, Norman Wells, Fort McPherson, Yellowknife and Inuvik.
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Quotes:
“All of the preceptors I had at Inuvik Long Term Care were very helpful. They were very supportive in passing down their knowledge and experience. Thank you to my preceptors.”
– Stephanie Felix, Personal Support Worker distance student, Tuktoyaktuk (practicum completed at Inuvik Hospital Long-term Care facility)
“When I initially enrolled in a one-off personal support worker class online I had no idea it would end up being my new career. After enrolling in the one-off course, I quickly enrolled in the full-time distance program. I was excited to participate from my home community, without having to uproot my family or leave them for extended periods of time. I had three practicums, which would normally come with three preceptors but I was lucky enough to work with more at three different locations, showcasing a variety of approaches and skills. I never felt like an afterthought or a burden. I would not be thriving in this career without the dedication of my preceptors.”
– Danielle Sachs, Personal Support Worker distance student, Hay River
“We are so very grateful for our practice partners for provide excellent practical learning for our PSW students. Thank you to all the preceptors that contribute to PSW education and promote quality care for residents across the NWT.”
– Jodi Brennan, Chair, School of Health and Human Services, Aurora College
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Aurora College delivers academic upgrading, trades and industrial training, certificate, diploma and degree programs to more than 2,500 full and part-time students at three campuses, 19 Community Learning Centres and other community sites in the Northwest Territories. Community-centred post-secondary programs reflect Northern culture and the needs of the Northern labour market. Aurora College’s research division, Aurora Research Institute, conducts and supports research in the NWT. Research centres are located in Inuvik, Yellowknife and Fort Smith.
For more information, please contact:
Jayne Murray
Manager, Communications & College Relations
Aurora College
Phone: 867-872-7021
Email: jmurray@auroracollege.nt.ca