October 24, 2012 | Alberta

Nurses are not only crucial to the delivery of care to patients, but often provide an extra support system for a family who may be dealing with a severely injured or sick loved one.

Earlier this year, the Calgary Herald published a story about Laurie Long, a mother who appreciated all that the nurses provided for her six-month-old daughter, Hannah,  while in the hospital. Many patients including young children spend years in a care facility, and it's the nurses responsibility to provide unconditional support and comfort through every surgery, medical treatment and other tough trials that ill or injured individuals have to endure.

Long's gratitude for her daughter's nurses was so strong that it inspired her to become one herself.

While the recent statistics compiled by the Canadian Institute for Health Information revealed that the number of nurses working in the country had increased since 2006, overall, a shortage is still present. The demand is highest in more remote areas in the north, according to the news source. Additionally, the urgent need for practical nurses in medical units and long-term care facilities is a top priority over all sectors.

Young adults hoping to help eliminate this shortage and join Long and other practical nurses in providing support to patients and family members can enroll in the Practical Nursing program at CDI College. To begin, fill out the form on the right.