Following a recent announcement that Georgian College's Barrie campus will be adding a four-year nursing degree program, its Owen Sound campus will also be offering bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) instruction.
Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop, who is also the MPP in Simcoe North, was in Owen Sound on Friday to further highlight the program. She was joined by Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker, Georgian College president and CEO Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes, and Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks.
Dunlop called the news "an important milestone for post-secondary education" in Ontario.
"Georgian College is among the first of Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges to offer a standalone nursing degree independent of a university partner, including the campus in Owen Sound," Dunlop said in a news release.
Today's announcement comes on the heels of previous developments in February 2020.
Georgian College will welcome the first cohort of new nursing students in September 2022.
West-Moynes called the it "a bold, progressive move by the Ontario government" to offer students the highly sought-after degree.
“Georgian is well-positioned to offer all four years of a truly exceptional honours bachelor of science and with the incredible support of the local community, we’ll deliver this program in our future state-of-the-art nursing and wellness wing in Owen Sound," she said.
As part of the government’s recently announced $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 $564,308 to help increase enrolment in nursing education programs at Georgian College, supporting the training of 62 new practical nursing students.
“Ontario’s nurses go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to patients and we are grateful for their continued efforts throughout the pandemic,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott. “Georgian College’s new bachelor of science in nursing degree program will provide students with more choices for nursing education, further strengthening our health-care workforce as more Ontarians pursue this important career.”
