The president of Confederation College is thrilled the Ford government is giving colleges the opportunity to offer their own nursing degree programs,
Kathleen Lynch calls it great news for colleges and great news for nurses especially since the college serves communities in the northwest.
“Many of the small communities are looking for degree nurses and this gives more opportunity for colleges to try to meet that unmet need,” says Lynch, “…which we try to do in response to the communities that we serve.”
As for offering a degree program at Confederation College, she says college officials would have to discuss that with Lakehead University since both institutions are currently partnering on a nursing course.
Lynch is also hoping the new direction will mean opportunities for the practical nursing graduates who take the two-year program at the college. to advance towards a degree. Right now she says the practical nurses often do not get recognition from universities in the province for what they have learned at the college level.
