First 28 students from University of Saskatchewan’s nursing fast-track program graduate [Video]

The first students of a fast-track nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan have graduated.

The program aims to address the province’s healthcare staffing shortage.

“It feels good. It’s been a little bit busy for the past two years, so it’s nice to finally be done,” Jarret Calvert, one of the 28 graduates, told CTV News.

The program is designed for students who already have an undergraduate degree to get a nursing degree in just two years.

Calvert hopes to work in his hometown of Turtleford, Sask. where he’s seen shortages of healthcare workers.

“Try and help where I came from,” Calvert said.

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Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan’s new health minister, congratulated the students.

Before arriving at the university, he toured Saskatoon’s St. Paul’s hospital, known to struggle with issues around overcrowding.

“I had a good opportunity to walk the hospital, meet with several staff, understand the challenges that they’re seeing and start to work on …