Colleges want nursing students to complete BScN in one place
Ontario Colleges is asking the
provincial government to allow colleges
to offer nursing degree programs
without the current requirement
that their programs be jointly
offered with universities.
In a document titled “Opening Doors to Nursing Degrees,” Ontario Colleges argues that allowing colleges to offer Bachelor of Science in nursing programs would make nursing programs more accessible. An independent study conducted by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities found that some colleges are ready or nearly ready to offer the programs, the document says.
Fanshawe College is one of the colleges that are ready to offer a nursing program.
“This would be an important step to improve health-care education in the province,” said president and CEO of Colleges Ontario Linda Franklin in a news release. “Allowing students to attain a nursing degree at one post-secondary institution will be more efficient and provide more options, particularly if students live in a community that doesn’t have a local university.”
The Council of Ontario Universities responded to request on January 14, advising the province not to grant Ontario colleges the right to offer BScN programs.
“Some time ago, the province agreed that patient care had become so complex that nurses needed research, theory, critical thinking and practice in order to be prepared,” said president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities Bonnie M. Patterson in a news release. “As a result, the government made a policy decision to move to collaborations between universities and colleges. This collaboration continues to bring benefits to thousands of students, postsecondary institutions, and Ontario’s health care system.”
Provincial regulations require since 2005 that new registered nurses have a Bachelor in Science in Nursing from a university. Colleges weren’t allowed to offer degree programs at the time.
Prior to the provincial regulation changes, about 70 per cent of RNs in Ontario were educated in colleges. Under the current system, nursing students pursuing a BScN can either go to university for four years or do two years at a community college before transferring to a university for two more years to get their degree.
Fanshawe nursing students have to finish their degrees at Western University.
In a document titled “Opening Doors to Nursing Degrees,” Ontario Colleges argues that allowing colleges to offer Bachelor of Science in nursing programs would make nursing programs more accessible. An independent study conducted by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities found that some colleges are ready or nearly ready to offer the programs, the document says.
Fanshawe College is one of the colleges that are ready to offer a nursing program.
“This would be an important step to improve health-care education in the province,” said president and CEO of Colleges Ontario Linda Franklin in a news release. “Allowing students to attain a nursing degree at one post-secondary institution will be more efficient and provide more options, particularly if students live in a community that doesn’t have a local university.”
The Council of Ontario Universities responded to request on January 14, advising the province not to grant Ontario colleges the right to offer BScN programs.
“Some time ago, the province agreed that patient care had become so complex that nurses needed research, theory, critical thinking and practice in order to be prepared,” said president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities Bonnie M. Patterson in a news release. “As a result, the government made a policy decision to move to collaborations between universities and colleges. This collaboration continues to bring benefits to thousands of students, postsecondary institutions, and Ontario’s health care system.”
Provincial regulations require since 2005 that new registered nurses have a Bachelor in Science in Nursing from a university. Colleges weren’t allowed to offer degree programs at the time.
Prior to the provincial regulation changes, about 70 per cent of RNs in Ontario were educated in colleges. Under the current system, nursing students pursuing a BScN can either go to university for four years or do two years at a community college before transferring to a university for two more years to get their degree.
Fanshawe nursing students have to finish their degrees at Western University.
