A new nursing training site has opened in Beausejour for Practical Nursing students within the Interlake-Eastern Health Regional Authority (IERHA). Assiniboine College, in collaboration with the Town of Beausejour, welcomed its first cohort of students in January and celebrated the grand opening of the new facility on Feb. 21.
There are currently 24 students enrolled in the Beausejour program with priority admission given to students residing within a 100 km radius of the site.
Since this is a two year program, students will complete their courses in January 2027.
“Assiniboine College is committed to delivering high-quality, hands-on education that meets the needs of Manitoba’s workforce,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine College.
A practical nursing classroom has been established at the Beausejour Sportsplex, serving as one of Assiniboine College’s four rural-rotating nursing sites.
“This rotating site in Beausejour will allow students to train in or near their own communities, reducing the barrier to training and supporting healthcare services in rural areas. We thank our partners in the community, the health region and the province for ensuring we can offer opportunities to the students learning here,” added Frison.
Beausejour Mayor Ray Schirle noted that securing a nursing program in the town has been a goal for over ten years. He has collaborated with eleven neighboring municipalities to create a vocational training program for the community. He emphasized the significance of living, learning, and working in the region and expressed gratitude to the students, stating, “We recognized the potential to enhance healthcare services and create educational opportunities in Beausejour.”
IERHA CEO Marion Ellis also welcomed the students at the grand opening.
“Training nursing students in rural communities and nations contribute to workforce sustainability that helps meet people’s healthcare needs for years to come. Beausejour’s elected leaders and Assiniboine College have shown foresight in their collaboration. We look forward to offering new graduates rewarding nursing careers.”
Given the shortage of nurses and physicians in the province, allowing students to study locally enhances accessibility and increases the likelihood of future graduates’ success. The goal of the Practical Nursing program is to provide classroom instruction, lab experience, and clinical placements in rural settings, all designed to prepare graduates to effectively serve their communities.
“We are proud to be here in the Interlake-Eastern Region,” said Jodee Cobb-Adair, Associate Dean of Nursing at Assiniboine College.
Practical Nursing is Assiniboine College’s most popular program, with a 99 percent of students graduating after admission. Of those graduates, 95 percent continue to live and work in Manitoba, dedicating themselves to improving healthcare across the province.
Assiniboine College proudly offers the Practical Nursing program at three additional rotating rural sites, along with its permanent campuses in Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin and Portage La Prairie.
College sites with current Rural Rotating programs running or completing soon: Neepawa, Morden, Beausejour, (Steinbach – September 2025 start), Arborg.
For more information about the Practical Nursing program at Assiniboine, visit assiniboine.net/nursing.
