New shuttle service goal to connect health care students with training and jobs

Students in health care programs at Loyalist College now have improved access to experiential learning opportunities in the County, thanks to a new shuttle service launched in partnership with Prince Edward County municipal services.

Developed as part of the HealthPULSE (Partners United in Local Solutions for Everyone) initiative, the shuttle addresses one of the major barriers to hands-on health care training across the region: transportation.

HealthPULSE is a collaborative network composed of leaders from Loyalist College, Quinte Health, Belleville, Quinte West, Hastings County and Prince Edward County, established to help advance innovative solutions to local health care challenges.

Operating four days a week, a shuttle operated by Quinte Transit connects Loyalist students from programs such as the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Social Service Worker, and Massage Therapy to health care facilities across the County including the hospital and the H.J. McFarland Memorial Home, supporting hands-on learning experiences directly embedded in critical community services.

“Our students often juggle academic, personal and professional responsibilities,” said Mark Kirkpatrick, Loyalist president and CEO. “This shuttle service reduces one of the hurdles in their training, making it easier for them to access real-world learning environments and connect with the communities they will serve as members of the health care workforce.”

With strengthened ties between the college and the County, it is hoped students can build relationships with local health care providers, increasing the likelihood they will continue working in the area after graduation and helping to address ongoing staffing shortages, contributing to the long-term well-being of the community.

“The HealthPULSE shuttle is a great example of how our innovative partnership can solve some of the most challenging issues our region faces,” said Stacey Daub, Quinte Health President and CEO. “Finding a creative solution that gets health care students to service organizations across our communities is a ‘win-win’ – getting students the much-needed placement they need and supporting our region to grow our next generation of health care workers.”