Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home and Fanshawe College’s Simcoe campus have a new partnership aimed at tackling the shortage of healthcare workers in the community.
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The partnership is meant to provide more educational opportunities and enable nursing and personal support worker students to complete their studies and secure employment closer to home.
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Through the arrangement, graduates of Fanshawe’s PSW and registered practical nurse programs will have access to placements and jobs at Norfolk General and Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home.
“At Norfolk General Hospital and the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home, our commitment to strengthening our workforce remains steadfast,” said Todd Stepanuik, president and CEO of both organizations. “Our exciting collaboration with Fanshawe College represents an opportunity to expand horizons for prospective healthcare professionals. Recognizing the importance of flexible learning journeys, we believe that broadening local opportunities empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions to their careers.”
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The new partnership provides students the opportunity to work in their chosen career before graduation, under the guidance of a registered nurse, RPN or PSW, giving them promising job prospects.
There are more than 40 student placements each year at NGH and NHNH.
“These placements will help us unlock the potential of our students and the communities we serve by giving aspiring nurses and PSWs an incredible opportunity to get their foot in the door where they can begin to make an impact on the community,” said Donna Gates, associate dean of Fanshawe’s Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus.
Healthcare labs at the campus received new and updated equipment and learning resources this year with provincial funding.
“It’s an exciting time to be a student,” Gates said.
Fanshawe’s Simcoe-based PSW program enrolls new students in January, September and May. The RPN program will welcome its first nursing students in September.
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