RNAO CEO responds to new government announcements

On June 5, the Ontario government shared two announcements related to the nursing profession. The first  expands nursing education with new seats and programs, as well as RN prescribing included in three additional nursing programs. In the government’s media release, RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun said "RNAO applauds the Ontario government for strengthening nursing education through the addition of 2,200 new seats and programs that directly respond to the needs of Ontarians. The launch of three additional accelerated RN programs at Conestoga College (Kitchener), St. Lawrence College (Kingston), Western University (London), and York University (Toronto) will enable students to enter the profession sooner – without compromising the rigour of their education – and help address urgent staffing shortages. We are thrilled to see RN prescribing embedded into the BScN curriculum at Georgian College (Barrie), Humber Polytechnic (Toronto), and the University of Windsor – a long-standing call by RNAO that must now be extended to all BScN programs in Ontario. We also celebrate the expansion of capacity in northern and rural nursing programs at Confederation College in Thunder Bay and Cambrian College in Sudbury. Alongside these important investments, government and employers must ensure we retain existing nursing talent – by securing safe staffing, competitive compensation across all sectors, and healthy work environments. Together, we are enabling nurses to build fulfilling careers in Ontario – so that Ontarians receive the best possible care." Share RNAO’s post on X to spread the news.

The second announcement focused on strengthening Ontario’s health-care workforce by making it easier for U.S.-licensed nurses and board-certified physicians to move to Ontario. In the media release, Grinspun is quoted: "RNAO welcomes Ontario’s action to remove unnecessary barriers for U.S.-licensed physicians and nurses to begin practising in our province – while maintaining a strong commitment to patient safety and registration standards, including the requirement for a BScN for registered nurses and an MScN for nurse practitioners. Ontarians deserve timely and high-quality care, and this policy change is a timely step toward strengthening nurse retention and recruitment efforts. Attracting new nurses – whether from across the border or within Ontario – must be matched by robust strategies to retain the nurses we already have. That means ensuring safe staffing, competitive compensation across all sectors, and healthy work environments. RNAO is ready and eager to collaborate with the Ontario government and other partners to support both retention and recruitment, and to ensure the best possible care for Ontarians." Share RNAO’s post on X with the news.