Clinical Placements Easier for Health Students

It is now easier for health science students in Nova Scotia to find clinical or field-work placements thanks to the Health Sciences Placement Network.

HSPnet connects computer databases to form a network that makes it faster and less complicated for educational institutions to find student placements.

Last year, when HSPnet was piloted for nurses by Capital Health and the IWK Health Centre, it helped more than 230 students find placements. HSPnet was expanded to the rest of the province in January, adding other health disciplines, such as paramedics.

"Strengthening our health-care workforce depends on many different elements, including good training and work-experience opportunities," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont.

"We know that helping build partnerships between educational institutions and facilities, especially remote ones, will help recruit health professionals to under-serviced areas," said Mr. d'Entremont. "Anything we can do to help students find employment, and employers to find good workers can help give us an edge against the competition."

The Academic Health Council, which includes the CEOs of the nine district health authorities and the IWK, and representatives from the continuing-care sector, universities, other education providers and government, is funding and helping to promote the project.

"With the assistance of the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations and the commitment of staff from across the province, the health council is looking forward to a system-wide adoption of this service as we strive to provide students with increased opportunities to develop their skills," said Anne McGuire, chair of the Academic Health Council.

The Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations, a provincial association of district health authorities, hospitals, continuing-care organizations and other health providers, provides secretariat and research support to the Academic Health Council.