As Georgian College starts upgrading part of its Owen Sound campus ahead of the launch of its new nursing program, Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy is applauding the college and the community for making it happen.
Next fall, (2022) the college will offer an Honours Bachelor of Science Nursing Program.
Boddy says, in a statement, “I am excited to hear about Georgian College’s plan to offer the Honours Bachelor of Science Nursing program in Owen Sound in September 2022. This four-year program will allow prospective local nursing students to stay close to home, as well as welcome students from outside of the region.”
Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes gave a presentation to city councillors Monday night, saying the nursing wing of the school will be a $7.1 million upgrade on the campus, “We’ve carved out 9,200 square feet of space to create a purpose-designed nursing and wellness wing and equip it with the latest simulation technology and artificial intelligence capabilities and healthcare equipment needed to educate BScN students plus others and provide real-life learning and training experience. Because we’re beginning from the ground floor, this truly will be a state-of the-art facility.”
West-Moynes made a presentation to Grey County Committee of the Whole on September 23rd. The college has asked Grey County to put $1 million into the project.
Meanwhile, Mayor Boddy says the Owen Sound Campus of Georgian College has a significant positive financial impact on the city and area, noting, “Expanding higher education will further help to stimulate our economy.”
In West-Moynes’ presentation to city councillors, she noted in 2019/20 Georgian College had an operational spending impact of $12.9 million, a student spending impact of $1.6 million and an alumni impact of $28 million. West-Moynes says the college supports 548 jobs.
Meanwhile, Boddy says, “One of Council’s strategic priorities is a ‘City that Grows’ and we remain committed to fostering and building a safe community that supports the health and well-being of all residents. The anticipated renovation of the Nursing and Wellness Wing will provide an excellent in-class learning environment and help address the importance of healthcare professionals as highlighted by the pandemic.”
West-Moynes says the college is still waiting for government final approval for the four-year nursing program, but does expect to have it in the coming weeks.
She says the program will be key for the future, explaining, “We know that in 2019, healthcare providers in Grey Bruce and Simcoe counties provided resource projections that estimated they needed to hire 4,300 new nurses over the next decade to accommodate growth and replace retiring nurses. That was before COVID and now we know that the pandemic has struck Ontario’s health system the critical shortage is more pronounced throughout the province and indeed our local communities.”
West-Moynes says, “When the pandemic ends, the nursing shortage will not. As a community college we need to be part of the solution.”