REGINA — “Helping others is rewarding because it makes a positive difference in their wellbeing,” says Christa MacLean.
For MacLean, nursing has always been about making a difference in people’s lives. That belief has guided every chapter of her career, whether at a patient’s bedside, teaching in the classroom or as dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Health Sciences and Community Services at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
“My aunt and cousin were nurses, and I admired them and the profession of nursing for its ability to help others,” MacLean says. That admiration became intention in Grade 12, when she applied to the Nursing Diploma program at SIAST, now Sask Polytech. “I have loved nursing since the first day of classes.”
Though her career began in nursing, education was never far from her heart. “During high school, I was torn between teaching and nursing,” she says. “Although I pursued a career in nursing, my interest in education never faded.”
After gaining experience as a registered nurse, clinical educator and in management within the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, MacLean joined Sask Polytech as an instructor.
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As she began to see leadership as another way to support learning and care, MacLean pursued progressive leadership positions, including program head, academic chair and associate dean. She has served as dean since 2022. These roles allowed her to influence not just individual learners but entire programs.
With more than 35 years in nursing and 25 years in health care education, she has witnessed and helped shape significant change across the profession.
MacLean describes her leadership style as grounded in service. “I consider myself a servant leader whose primary objective is to support faculty, staff and leaders as they strive to deliver high-quality post-secondary education,” she says. She regularly reflects on her own experiences as a clinician and educator, asking, “What can I do to support my team's success?”
MacLean says one of her proudest achievements as a leader is the significant expansion to educate more nursing and health sciences students. “I am proud of our ability to respond to the needs of the health care system in Saskatchewan,” she says. “When I started in nursing education there were only 60 seats to train students to become registered nurses, now we enrol over 450 students annually in the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (SCBScN).”
Innovation is also central to MacLean’s vision. “We are integrating advanced technologies, including virtual reality and high-fidelity simulation, enabling students to gain experience in complex clinical scenarios without risk to patients,” she says. Yet even as technology advances, the heart of nursing education remains unchanged. “Compassion remains central to our mission, encompassing support for students, clients, families and communities.”
With demand and expectations for health care professionals at an all-time high, MacLean is committed to delivering quality service to those in need and developing professionals capable of meeting the health care needs of Saskatchewan.
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“We ensure our students are provided with strong academic programs and education that combines practical training and practicum experience to prepare them for their careers,” she says. “Our graduates make meaningful contributions to the people of Saskatchewan, and I take great pride in their achievements as they start their careers.”
MacLean’s commitment to helping people has remained constant. From student and nurse to instructor, dean and everything in between, her journey rooted in service of others has come full circle as graduates of Sask Polytech nursing, health sciences and community services programs carry their skills, compassion and confidence into communities across Saskatchewan.
Interested in a career helping others? Learn more about Sask Polytech’s Faculty of Nursing, Health Sciences and Community Services to find the program right for you.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is signatory to the SDG Accord. Sustainable Development Goal alignment is one of the ways Sask Polytech is leading the rise of polytechnic education.
