First student cohort settles into Georgian College's new stand-alone nursing program
Students are settling into Georgian College's new stand-alone four-year Bachelor of Science and Nursing program.
"This is our first cohort, and we are unbelievably excited," said Sara Lankshear, associate dean of nursing.
One hundred and fifty students are among the first to enroll in the program, which is aimed at attracting students to campuses in Barrie and Owen Sound.
"We have 120 here at the Barrie campus and 30 at the campus in Owen Sound," said Lankshear. "The students they actually live in these communities. They will now learn all four years in these communities, learn about the communities and then upon graduation stay here and practice in these communities."
Last year the province announced $35 million to increase enrolment in nursing programs in Ontario as hospitals in Grey Bruce and Simcoe Muskoka continue to grapple with staffing shortages.
"What we found in the previous program in place before is anywhere from 40 to 60 per cent of the students that finished their degree in the GRA area never came back to this area to practice," said Lankshear.
Lankshear said that this year, the college had about 900 applications for the program.
Kaidence Buck is a first-year student. Her mom works at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie.
She said hearing about the challenges firsthand is one of the reasons she chose the program.
"With everyone that's applied and in the program, it will be better. There will be more nurses who will be there to reduce the burnouts and the shortages," Buck said.
Others like Paula Hamilton said completing all four years close to home allows her to save money without uprooting her family.
"(There is) no need to worry about transportation, no need to worry about living cost and adjusting your whole life over again, especially being a mom," said Hamilton.
The curriculum focuses on the needs of the area, including Indigenous and mental health, seniors, and rural health care.
In preparation for the program, the campus in Owen Sound opened its $7.1 million new nursing and wellness wing, providing the space and technology for several programs, including nursing.
In Barrie, several investments were also made in technology.
"We've also got some plans for renovations at this campus as well that will continue to be able to provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for our students," said Lankshear.
As hospitals like RVH move to double in size, the college said students graduating from this program would be ready to fill those spots and meet the demand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.