Ontario Expanding Choices for Prospective Nursing Students
Lambton College Proposes Independent Degree
NEWS
April 27, 2022
SARNIA — The Ontario government is providing a new pathway for nursing education in Sarnia with a proposed new stand-alone four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Lambton College.
Details were shared today by Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton.
“Opening new pathways to health care education close to home is a game changer,” said MPP Bailey. “In recent years we’ve seen an accelerated need for more health care professionals across Ontario, so allowing Lambton College to offer a stand-alone nursing degree independent of a partner institution right here in Sarnia would help ensure more nurses can train, work and live in the region.”
The new program builds on Ontario’s recent changes allowing both publicly-assisted colleges and universities to offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing to increase opportunities for students to access a high-quality education.
“If approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario, this will be an important milestone for postsecondary education in Ontario,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “By allowing colleges like Lambton to offer stand-alone nursing degrees, our government can increase choices and reduce barriers to high-quality, local education for students.”
“Ontario’s nurses have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are truly grateful for their dedication,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “I am pleased that Lambton College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program would offer students additional options to pursue a future in nursing, encouraging even more Ontarians to join this important career path.”
Pending approval, the first cohort of nursing students in Lambton College’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program could start in September 2023.
“We are proud to be bringing an exceptional stand-alone Bachelor of Science – Nursing Degree program to Sarnia-Lambton,” said Mary Vaughan, Senior Vice President, Academic and Student Success, Lambton College. “Combining the work of our outstanding faculty and staff, the state of practice facilities in our NOVA Chemicals Health and Research Centre, and the experiential learning opportunities made possible by our partnerships, this program stands to have a significant impact on our local healthcare workforce.”
As part of the government’s $35 million investment to increase enrolment in nursing education programs in publicly-assisted colleges and universities across the province, the province is also providing up to $591,942.40 to help increase enrolment in nursing education programs at Lambton College. This will support the education of 60 additional practical nursing students and 5 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students in the collaborative nursing program.
QUICK FACTS
- The College of Nurses of Ontario sets the requirements for entry-to-practice for the nursing profession, articulates practice standards for its members and approves nursing programs in Ontario.
- To become a registered nurse in Ontario (and be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario), individuals must obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
- Investing in nursing education supports the government’s Long-Term Care Staffing Plan that was launched last year. At the centre of this plan, the hours of direct care for residents in long-term care will be increasing to an average of four hours per day over four years. To implement this initiative, the government will be making overall investments of $1.9 billion annually by 2024-25.
- To strengthen the health and long-term care workforce, Ontario is investing $342 million, beginning in 2021–22, to add over 5,000 new and upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers. In addition, Ontario is investing $57.6 million, beginning in 2022–23, to hire 225 nurse practitioners in the long-term care sector.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario Colleges
Lambton College
College of Nurses of Ontario
Ontario’s new pathway for nursing education
Ontario is investing $35 million to increase enrolment in nursing education programs in publicly-assisted colleges and universities across the province.
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Media Contacts:
Bob Bailey, MPP
bob.bailey@pc.ola.org
519-337-0051