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Nursing program part of larger provincial strategy Continued from page 3 have a lot of new grads that are able to take It will pay for the first _ advantage of the proâ€" It will pay for the first six months of the nurses® employment; the employer is responsible for six weeks. "So it‘s giving 7 1/2 months really to transiâ€" tion into a permanent fullâ€"time job," Hanmer At that time, there will hopefully be a fullâ€" time position available for them, she said. "It‘s to get them startâ€" ed." As well, the program provides an opportunity for new nurses to gain clinical experience while they‘re moving into perâ€" manent positions. Oppor(unities Waterâ€" loo Region will offer a community forum April 3 to inform lowâ€" income workers of the opportunities and resources that are availâ€" able to them in Waterloo Region to help them make ends meet. Forum on making ends meet "I hope that we do During, the morning, a panel of community leaders will talk about their vision and priorities for the City. In the afternoon, you‘ll have the opportunity to participate in a workshop to share your ideas, too. RSVP before April 10 to: enesbitt@city. waterioo.on.ca or 519â€"747â€"8706 Have your say The initiative stemmed from the McGuinty government‘s longtime aim to stabilize the nursing workforce, said Hanmer. "There‘s been a numâ€" ber of initiatives over the last few years that have looked at trying to encourage nurses to stay in the profession, and then encourage new nurses to come into the profession." n _ This program is part of a larger healthâ€"force Ontario strategy. Health and Longâ€" term Care Minister George Smitherman education and training opportunities to upgrade and learn new skills, employment resources, financial tips and money management. Scheduled talks throughout the day will focus on tips on healthy eating on a limited income; how to maxiâ€" mize a tax refund; and how to grow vegetables and herbs in small spaces. announced the initiative recently. "We‘re delivering on our promise that every nursing graduate who wants to work in Ontario will have the opportuniâ€" ty for fullâ€"time employâ€" ment," he said. "We want to take full advanâ€" tage of the skills nurses offer. "By working together with _ employers to implement our nursing graduate guarantee iniâ€" tiative and bring newly graduated nurses from the Waterlooâ€"Wellington LHIN into their workâ€" force, we continue to increase patient access to quality health care and keep skilled nurses in Ontario." Focusâ€"group sessions will also take place. Parâ€" ticipants will get a free $10 Zehrs gift card for input on what helps and what makes it hard for them to make ends meet. There will also be refreshments and door prizes to be won. Answer the cali Starting April 10th, a random sample of Waterioo residents will receive a call asking them to respond to a series of questions about the community vision and strategic priorities. On April 10th, an online version of the survey will be available through the City‘s Web site. As well, hard copies of the survey will be available through City facilities. Take the time to tell us what you think. Take the survey yq WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, March 28, 200 1e 567â€" 20 e