Psychiatric Nursing cont.

Personality, Knowledge and
a Commitment to Caring Required

There is little time for students to work, and
Reynolds recommends that all students have
available financial resources to complete the
course prior to entering Douglas College.

A limited number of scholarships are available,
and psychiatric nursing students have access to
some bursaries.

"We're a very people oriented profession and

to be successful, a psychiatric nurse needs a
special blend of personality, knowledge and a
commitment to caring," says Dorothy Jennings,
Executive Director of the RPNABC.

For more information on this caring profession,
contact the RPNABC at 294-9441 in Burnaby,
or call the department of Nursing programs at
Douglas College, 520-5400, in New Westminster.

"It truly is a profession for people who care,"
Jennings says.

- DOUGLAS COLLEGE NEWS SERVICES

 

Open Learning Authority Announced

Creation of an Open Learning Authority to
co-ordinate and promote open learning in B.C.
was announced in the March 11th Speech from
the Throne. Legislation to establish the
authority is expected to be introduced during
the present legislative session.

Douglas College has been briefed on developments
to date by Dr. Walter Hardwick, Chairman of

the Steering Committee struck to plan the Open
Learning Authority. In his March 10 report to
Board Chairman Mr. G.T. Trerise, Dr. Hardwick
expressed a willingness to work with Douglas

to develop and deliver open learning programs.

Hardwick noted that commitment and contribu-
tion of the post secondary system has created

a B.C. open learning system recognized through-
out the world. Success has been achieved in

serving those who prefer to study in a non-
traditional manner. However, due to some
duplication of effort and lack of clarity in terms
of mandate, the OLA is proposed to co-ordinate
all aspects of open learning in the province.

OLA will assume responsibility for functions now
performed by the Open Learning Institute, the
Knowledge Network and the Open University
Consortium of British Columbia. It will ensure

a continuum of educational programming relevant
to offerings of schools, colleges, institutes,
universities and upgrading of the work force,
including professional development.

The OLA Steering Committee has struck planning
teams in four program sectors: Open University,
Open College, Open Sector (General Education)
and Open Learning Research and Consultation.
Technology, course production, marketing,
student services and space needs are also being
studied. Experts identified by the Council of
College and Institute Principals and University
Academic Vice-Presidents are contributing to
planning teams.

"It's important to have the universities and
institutes participate in the planning because
they will be partners in the new system-wide
open learning enterprise," said Hardwick.

He noted it is the intent of both government

and the Steering Committee to keep Douglas |
College and others in the post-secondary system |
informed about progress of the various activities. |
He hopes for full and active co-operation and |
collaboration as the new authority moves toward

full operation.

The original proposal for an Open Learning
Authority was raised last July by the then
Minister responsible, Patrick McGeer and
Jack Heinrich. They asked the Boards of OLI
and the Knowledge Network to give advice on
formation of the OLA and to lead its planning
and development.

For further information contact:

Dr. Walter Hardwick
2206 East Mall, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1W5 |

224-6511 or 1-800-663-1678

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