Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 20/02) - Four students from the Kivalliq region entered the Nunavut Nursing Program last September.

They are the first from the region to do so since the program began in 1999. These students are all in first year and have made the big move to Nunavut's capital. Being away from home is the hardest part of the program for them.

"I'm the first one to leave home. It's hard on everyone, especially my mom," said 18-year-old Andrea McLarty from Rankin Inlet.

The four agree it's difficult but they all have different reasons for enrolling in the program.

McLarty's interest came about when she was in Grade 6. She broke her thumb and wanted to know how to fix it.

Jody Roach, 19, is also from Rankin Inlet. Her desire to become a midwife is what made her apply to the program.

"It was after I had my child I decided. We have one maternity care worker in our community. She's Inuk and made me feel comfortable. I want to work with my people," she said.

Roach said people in Rankin Inlet are working to set up a midwifery program but it keeps getting postponed. Her friend Pallulaaq Ford, 19, decided to take nursing because of her family history.

"There's a lot of sickness and illness in my family in Rankin Inlet so I've always been interested in helping them out," said Ford.

The only student from Arviat, 23-year-old Karen Kutluk, said she made up her mind in Grade 3. She was at a school recital dressed as a nurse and had to say a few words about a nurse in the audience.

"She asked me what I wanted to be and I said 'I want to be like you'," explained Kutluk.

Each of these women plans to return to their communities when they complete the four-year program. For now, they say they'll go back during the summer to tell others about the course.

The nursing program is like any other in the country except it's specific to Nunavut.

"It's designed to meet the demands of health care for the territory and to make sure that the nurses have an understanding of Inuit culture," said program co-ordinator Anita Ludlow.

The students are learning anatomy, psychology and basic nursing needs. They are all anxious to get into the hands-on part of the program.

Ludlow said it won't be long before they get a chance.

In January, they'll shadow a nurse at Baffin Regional Hospital and have the opportunity to speak with patients. A four-week clinical practicum starts in May, giving the students the opportunity to deliver patient care.