Colleges and universities will soon offer Bachelor nursing degree programs on a stand-alone basis. For colleges, this will be the first time they would be able to offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree independently of a university partner says a government news release.
Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities, was at Georgian College today to announce a new nursing education policy that "will give students more choice around accessing a high-quality education to pursue a rewarding career in registered nursing."
"Building Ontario's economy means ensuring our postsecondary institutions are training students for the jobs of today and the future," said Romano. "This new pathway for nursing education will offer students greater choice and make it easier for them to pursue rewarding nursing careers."
Since the collaborative nursing model was implemented in 2000, postsecondary education and health systems have grown and evolved. Many colleges now have experience in offering stand-alone degree programs in other areas of study. And both colleges and universities are able and willing to offer their own degrees independent of a partner institution. This new policy will expand choice for students and give institutions greater autonomy and flexibility over their programming, while maintaining excellence in nursing education. Institutions will be able to choose whether to deliver their programs collaboratively or on a stand-alone basis.
"This is an important step forward in ensuring communities, such as the ones we serve in central Ontario, have the talented nurses who are so integral to Ontario's health care system," said MaryLynn West-Moynes, President of Georgian College.
