Thursday marked an important day in the future for nursing education with the launch of 91ɫ's new stand-alone four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Details about the program were announced by Ontario's Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop and 91ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton during a visit by Dunlop to the Keele Campus.
“I’m here today to highlight an important milestone for postsecondary education in Ontario. 91ɫ’s stand-alone Bachelor of Science in Nursing will allow students to complete their nursing degree entirely at 91ɫ,” said Dunlop. “In Ontario, both colleges and universities are now able to offer stand-alone nursing degrees, increasing choices and reducing barriers to high-quality, local education for Ontario’s students."
91ɫ will welcome the first cohort of new nursing students starting in September 2022.
“91ɫ’s School of Nursing has become one of the largest and most comprehensive in Canada, and the new stand-alone nursing degree will reduce barriers and create more opportunities for students to respond to the needs of the culturally diverse communities we serve, reduce health inequalities, and explore social, economic and cultural determinants of health and healthcare outcomes,” said Lenton. “This is another important milestone in demonstrating 91ɫ’s leadership and expertise in health education and health governance.”
As part of the government’s recently announced to increase enrolment in nursing education programs in publicly assisted colleges and universities across Ontario, the province is also providing up to $385,000 to help increase enrolment in nursing education programs at 91ɫ, supporting the education of 42 additional Bachelor of Science in Nursing students.
The new program builds on Ontario’s allowing both publicly assisted colleges and universities to offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing to increase opportunities for students to access a high-quality education. This includes stand-alone Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs offered at universities, colleges, and through collaborative university-college partnerships. 91ɫ previously partnered with two colleges in offering this program; now each of the three institutions offer this degree independently, providing more choice and opportunity to 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. “91ɫ’s 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.”