(Via the Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan and Confederation College)
Ontario is supporting access to health care in northern and rural Ontario by investing nearly $1,228,440 to expand the capacity for nursing programs at Confederation College in Thunder Bay.
“This investment is truly needed in our region. The addition of 50 seats to Confederation College’s Practical Nursing program will help train and graduate more nurses right here in the North,” said The Honourable Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “This will directly support our local health care organizations that are facing staffing shortages. As health care needs continue to grow, increasing the number of trained professionals will help reduce staff burnout and improve the overall quality of care in our communities.”
This funding will help increase enrolment and create new clinical placement opportunities by adding 50 new nursing seats at Confederation College.
“By investing in education and training for nurses, our government is protecting Ontario and building on our progress to grow our nursing workforce for years to come,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will help ensure families can connect to the care they need no matter where they live, while also supporting the next generation of health-care professionals.”
“Expanding our Practical Nursing program with funded, and fast-track seats is a critical step in addressing the healthcare human resource needs across northwestern Ontario,” said Michelle Salo, President of Confederation College. “This investment allows more students to receive high-quality, hands-on training close to home, while also ensuring our communities benefit from a growing pool of skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals ready to serve in a faster time frame, thanks to the condensed program structure.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government continues to take bold and decisive action to grow the province’s highly skilled health care workforce and ensure people and their families have access to high-quality care closer to home for generations to come.
Quotes
“This investment in nursing education at Confederation College is both timely and essential, responding to immediate need for a highly-skilled nursing workforce to meet the rich and diverse needs of Thunder Bay and region. We are proud to be a longstanding partner in providing meaningful placement experiences that translate to rewarding careers for nurses.” – Janine Black, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Care Group
“Today’s announcement to add training spaces at Confederation College is a huge boost to our region. As health care needs continue to evolve and grow, investments to enhance the workforce will better equip our system to work collaboratively to address the needs of patients across all levels of care.” – Dr. Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.
“The announcement of the additional 50 seats in the Registered Practical Nurse program at Confederation College marks a pivotal step forward in addressing the growing need for skilled professionals in our long-term care facilities. This initiative not only reflects our shared commitment to improving the quality of care for our seniors but also highlights the importance of investing in our workforce, ensuring that we have the qualified individuals necessary to meet the demands of our aging population.
MPP Holland, your advocacy for long-term care has not gone unnoticed. Your tireless efforts and commitment to this sector have made a tangible difference in the lives of many Ontarians. By championing this program, you are helping to equip our future healthcare providers with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver compassionate and high-quality care.” – William Kunka, Regional Director at Southbridge Care
QUICK FACTS
- The government is investing $56.8 million over the next three years to support an enrolment increase of nursing spaces at publicly assisted colleges and universities by over 2,200 registered and registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners. In addition, this funding will support continued investments in innovative, flexible, online nursing pathways.
- Since 2018, Ontario has seen a record-breaking number of new health care professionals join the workforce, adding nearly 100,000 new nurses with another 30,000 nurses currently studying at Ontario colleges and universities.
- On December 4, 2023, the Nursing Act, 1991 was amended to allow RNs in Ontario to prescribe specific medications and to communicate a diagnosis for the purpose of prescribing.
- Since expanding the role of registered nurses to prescribe medications, 671 registered nurses have completed the training and are authorized to prescribe.
- Ontario is investing $743 million over three years to continue to address immediate health care staffing needs, as well as to grow the workforce for years to come.
(Via TBNewswatch.com / TBT News)