May 10, 2023

Doris Benavides, a single mother of two, worked full-time as a lab technician while pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse.

Seneca Polytechnic helped her get there in record time.

Ms. Benavides completed the two-year Practical Nursing diploma program in just 18 months, giving her the skills and experience to launch her career as a registered practical nurse (RPN).

“Seneca was the only school that had a ‘fast tracking,’ or accelerated practical nursing program,” Ms. Benavides said. “It was very busy at times, but the professors were always there to answer my questions.” 

Along with strong theoretical foundations and access to labs and simulators, Seneca’s nursing programs offer students front-line clinical experiences so they are ready to contribute to the health-care system when they finish their studies. 

This approach to education aligns with The Next, Seneca’s new Strategic Plan, which emphasizes “offering our students the invaluable combination of academic rigour and practical, professional skills with exposure to their career before they graduate.”

Lee McNeely, Manager, Clinical Programs at the Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing, oversees placements in long-term care, surgery and medical units that support this approach. 

“When students perform well in their placements, the agencies take notice,” said Ms. McNeely. “This can positively impact their job prospects and networking opportunities upon graduation.” 

One of the things that Ms. Benavides liked about the program was that she obtained work experience in a variety of clinical settings, including a long-term care facility and medical, surgical and oncology units.

After graduating in 2017, she worked as a pediatric private nurse for about a year before completing a 12-week paid internship with Health Force Ontario and Trillium Health Partners, which operates Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga Hospital and the Queensway Health Centre. That led to a permanent, part-time job with Credit Valley Hospital. 

Some additional courses and experience helped Ms. Benavides land a full-time position as an emergency room nurse at Credit Valley in July. 

“This is where I’ve always wanted to be but I needed the medical/surgical foundation first,” she said. “I’d like to further my education in a flexible program to become a registered nurse.” 

For working nurses like Ms. Benavides, Seneca now has an Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing (Bridge) program that helps them transition into the Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing program. 

In addition to programming to meet students’ needs, during the pandemic, Seneca partnered with Oxford Medical Simulation in the United Kingdom to introduce virtual reality and screen-based training options. These resources are helping students develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills. 

The two programs and access to new technologies are part of an ongoing initiative to continue expanding and developing nursing offerings at Seneca, said Sue King, Chair of the Program Advisory Committee for the Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing. 

Ms. King is the Interprofessional Practice Lead, Student Placements/Nursing Initiatives at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. The hospital, with a team of nearly 6,000 staff, physicians, volunteers and students, partners with Seneca to offer various nursing placements. 

“That experience ensures students are prepared when they graduate,” said Ms. King. 

Ms. Benavides agreed that the practical experience she received at Seneca added to her comfort level once she began caring for patients.

“It absolutely prepared me,” she said. “I love my work. There isn’t anything else I’d rather do.” 

National Nursing Week is celebrated from May 8 to 14 annually to coincide with Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12 – which is also International Nursing Day. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Our Nurses. Our Future.” 

Seneca Polytechnic has a 50-year history in nursing — nearly 2,500 students enrol in the nursing graduate certificate, diploma and degree programs each year.