Letter in support of Colleges Ontario nursing degree granting proposal

November 17, 2010
Kathleen M. MacMillan, RN, MA, MSc, PhD
Dean, School of Health Sciences
Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
205 Humber College Blvd.
Toronto, ON M9W 5L7
Dear Ms. MacMillan,
Re:
ONA Support for Ontario Colleges Granting Nursing Degrees
The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is aware that Colleges Ontario has developed a
proposal to the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities as well as the Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care to make a regulatory change that would authorize colleges to grant
the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSCN) degree.
This proposal is contained in the June 2010 document “Opening Doors to Nursing Degrees: A
Proposal from Ontario’s Colleges.”
Nursing degrees are currently offered by stand-alone university programs or collaborative
college-university programs. ONA sees the following opportunities in allowing for stand-alone
college nursing programs:
1. This has the potential of increasing the number of registered nurses (RNs) graduating each
year. Colleges can expand the number of nursing students faster than universities. This is
important given the ongoing nursing shortage.
2. ONA has raised concerns at the Joint Provincial Nursing Committee (JPNC) that the current
university nursing programs do not have a sufficient “clinical” component to them. Perhaps a
stand-alone college program would provide a better clinical experience for students in terms
of time and quality.
3. Colleges offering a nursing program would still be responsible for meeting Canadian
Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) national accreditation standards.
4. There is a possible “equity” advantage as colleges traditionally provide greater access to
non-traditional learners and underrepresented groups. College tuition may also be lower.
5. This would provide more opportunity for registered practical nurses (RPNs) to bridge to
baccalaureate nursing programs, which would help get more RNs into the system.
6. Colleges have offered the majority of Ontario’s nursing education programs for almost 40
years.

ONA Support for Ontario Colleges Granting Nursing Degrees Page 2
Letter to Kathleen MacMillan/November 17, 2010
7. Certain colleges in British Columbia and Manitoba offer four-year BScN programs. The
Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009, requires Ontario to accept nurses who have graduated
from these college degree programs.
Given the shortage of nurses and our concerns respecting the clinical component of current
university nursing programs, ONA supports a regulatory change to authorize colleges to grant
the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSCN) degree.
Sincerely,
ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION
Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN
President
LHS/da/ml
C. Lesley Bell, ONA Chief Executive Officer
ONA Board of Directors
Linda Franklin, President & CEO, Colleges Ontario