Rural nurses gain confidence, expertise with STARS partnership

Staff across southern Alberta converge for hands-on learning

Story by Kelly Morris | Photos by Clare Puzey

RAYMOND — Rural nurses from communities across southern Alberta came together at Raymond Health Centre recently for a day of hands-on learning focused on the recognition and management of the deteriorating patient, taught by STARS Air Medical Crew members.

Nurses from Bow Island, Cardston, Crowsnest Pass, Didsbury, Milk River, Pincher Creek, Raymond, Taber and Vulcan enhanced their confidence and clinical expertise through simulation, case-based discussions and practical skills development, while building connections with colleagues from across the region.

“The day was a great opportunity for our nursing staff to learn from and practice alongside the STARS experts,” says Dawn Peta, clinical nurse instructor, Alberta Health Services. “The nurses really appreciated the hands-on learning experience and the chance to build their knowledge, skills and confidence in managing critical situations. The opportunity to work directly with the STARS team, ask questions and practice scenarios in a supportive environment was very valuable.”

Rural Nursing STARS Education Days are coordinated through a partnership between STARS, Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP), and local healthcare sites across Alberta. The collaboration began when the Rural Nursing Education team approached STARS to support rural nursing education, with program costs reimbursed for eligible rural sites through RhPAP education funding.

“Partnerships between STARS, RhPAP, and the Rural Nursing Education team continue to bring high-quality education closer to home, strengthening rural nursing practice and ultimately improving patient care throughout Alberta,” says Clare Puzey, provincial education coordinator with Health Shared Services.

STARS plays an important role by sharing expertise in emergency and critical care, helping rural nurses strengthen their assessment, clinical decision-making and patient management skills. Their involvement supports continuing professional development in rural communities where access to specialized educational opportunities may be limited.

“We here at STARS are big on education, and we are so fortunate to have Air Medical Crew members who come from pre-hospital or in-hospital environments with a wealth of experience and expertise to share with the community, and this is our opportunity to do that,” says Perry Swenson, STARS outreach education lead.

At the Oct. 22 event, Swenson and colleagues Justin Mazzolini, Chris Faye and Dr. Marisa Vigna led nurses through skills stations that go over airway management, oxygenation/ventilation management, hemorrhage control, vasopressor initiation and titration, as well as IO access. (Intraosseous access is a medical technique used to inject fluids, medications or blood products directly into the marrow cavity of a bone when a standard IV line cannot be quickly or reliably established.)

“This gives learners the chance to ask questions, bring up previous calls or cases that they've had and connect some learning points,” says Swenson. “STARS really enjoys going into these communities to be able to provide these learning days.”