NORTH BATTLEFORD — Battlefords Union Hospital has received a $10,000 gift to support nurses
Just in time for National Nursing Week, the donation will expand professional development and training opportunities for Battlefords nurses and health-care workers.
The RBC Foundation today announced a $10,000 gift to the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation as part of a national campaign to support "up-skilling and resiliency training for nurses," the news release said.
The campaign, rolling out during National Nursing Week (May 12-18), includes support for several hospitals in Saskatchewan.
According to Leanne Ducommun, executive director at Battlefords Healthcare Foundation, the gift will provide access to specialized courses and certifications including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), and neonatal care training.
It will also enable the purchase of continuing education resources, such as online learning platforms and subscriptions to clinical journals.
“At the Battlefords Healthcare Foundation, we believe that exceptional healthcare starts with empowered people,” Ducommun said. “This investment in the continued education of our nurses and frontline staff is a powerful example of corporate leadership that creates lasting impact — not just within hospital walls, but throughout our entire community. This support helps ensure that patients in the Battlefords receive care that is informed, compassionate, and current."
The donation is part of the RBC Foundation’s overall $7-million commitment this year for "reskilling, upskilling and improving the resiliency of nurses and healthcare providers at over 50 Canadian hospitals," the release said.
The commitment includes a new $5-million donation to Windmill Microlending, which will help 850 internationally trained physicians afford the cost of recertification. These physicians will now be able to restart their careers in Canada, improving healthcare access for Canadians.
"At the heart of healthcare are dedicated nurses whose skills and compassion save lives every day," said Kim Ulmer, RBC regional president. "Investing in their development and upskilling isn't only a well-deserved commitment to nurses - it's a commitment to a stronger, healthier Canada."
According to Statistics Canada, Canada’s healthcare workforce is struggling to keep up with demand, resulting in decreased access to primary care for patients. A recent survey by Unity Health Toronto revealed that 6.5 million Canadians do not have a regular healthcare provider (physician or nurse practitioner). In 2024, CIHI reported that five million Canadians struggled to access primary care.
Held in honour of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, National Nursing Week is designed to increase the awareness of the many contributions nursing makes to the well-being of Canadians. Nurses are Canada’s largest group of healthcare professionals, with 400,000 members.
