Ten women from KO First Nations graduate from the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program
From the The Northern Sun News
Ten First Nation Women Graduate PSW Program
Dec. 5, 2007 - Jennifer Patenaude
Following a graduation ceremony on Thursday, ten First Nation women are now armed with the practical knowledge needed to enter the working world as a home and community care provider.
With 270 hours of theory and 280 hours of hands-on experience, the women, from the communities of Deer Lake, Poplar Hill, Fort Severn, Keewaywin and North Spirit Lake, have graduated the Home and Community Care program with a Personal Support Worker (PSW) certificate, which is valid throughout the province.
Marney Vermette, home and community care nurse supervisor, said the new graduates can now go on to provide personal care services in long-term care facilities or in home-based locations to assist clients with care so they can remain in their homes for as long as possible. She added that training, which was offered by the Ontario Community Support Association, was done in each woman’s community through the use of Telemedicine video conferencing, as well as a two-week period in Red Lake.
“It was a challenging and rewarding experience,” remarked Rita Thompson, who also gave the valedictory address at the one-hour graduation ceremony held at the Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) boardroom in Balmertown. She went on to say that she learned a multitude of new information that will not only benefit her as a PSW, but also in her personal life as a First Nation woman.
Clara Crowe, a fellow graduate, agreed. “It was a great experience that was also fun while learning. I am very happy to have graduated,” she said of the four-year program, which required the students to complete such tasks as feeding each other blindfolded and shaving delicate balloons.
While this certificate now enables the woman to work anywhere in the province, Phyllis Chowaniec, KO long term care registered practical nurse, is hopeful the graduates will remain in their respective areas to serve their community. “The most important thing is that these women can now utilize the new skills learned through the program throughout their community and look after their elders.”
Vermette supported Chowaniec saying this program was only a stepping-stone to all they could now accomplish. “They have gained the knowledge to better themselves, and in turn to better their community. I’m very proud of them all.”
The Northern Sun News is a weekly broadsheet newspaper serving Balmertown, Cochenour, Ear Falls, Highway 105 Corridor, Madsen, McKenzie Island, Perrault Falls, Red Lake, Starratt Olsen, and the Northern Communities.