Conestoga is among four post-secondary institutions receiving funding from the Government of Ontario to launch an accelerated registered nursing degree program to allow nurses to enter the workforce sooner.
Critical care nursing
Conestoga is receiving funding from the Ontario government to launch an accelerated registered nursing degree program.
The province is investing $2 million in Conestoga, St. Lawrence College, Western University and York University, each receiving up to $500,000 to support the development and implementation of the accelerated nursing program, beginning in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years.
“Conestoga is honoured to receive this grant to support the accelerated training of nursing students. Our accelerated BScN stream will offer a comprehensive nursing curriculum over 32 months, allowing students to expedite their academic journey to enter the workforce one year faster,” said Natalia Ronda, dean of Health & Life Sciences.
“Conestoga believes this transformative grant will help address nursing workforce shortages and strengthen the province’s health-care system.”
The accelerated degree program will allow registered nursing (RN) students to complete their undergraduate program within three to 3 1/2 years instead of four.
The funding is part of $4.2 million earmarked to expand nursing education across the province to improve access to care by ensuring more nurses are ready to work in communities across Ontario.
