Lambton College is working with the Ontario government to increase enrolment in its Bachelor of Science – Nursing and Practical Nursing programs in response to staffing needs in the healthcare sector.
The effort is supported by Bluewater Health, which has partnered with the College to provide students with clinical placements, mentorship, and employment opportunities.
“Lambton College is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of our community by training the next generation of highly skilled nurses,” said Rob Kardas, President and CEO of Lambton College. “The demand is there and the need for more nurses in our community isn’t going away.”
The College pointed to experienced faculty, existing training facilities, and provincial programs like the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant as part of its capacity to support expansion.
For the past four years, Bluewater Health’s Human Resources team has connected directly with nursing students during their final clinical placements, facilitating early conversations about career paths and helping match students to positions aligned with their interests and skills.
In 2024, Bluewater Health hired 20 Lambton graduates — 11 from the BScN program and 9 from Practical Nursing. The hospital hired 27 graduates in 2023 and 25 in 2022. Currently, 21 Lambton nursing students are engaged with the hospital, including five who are already employed in clinical roles.
“Lambton College has continually shown a strong commitment to improving the quality of education and training for the healthcare sector, which has faced many challenges in recent years,” said Paula Reaume-Zimmer, President and CEO of Bluewater Health. “The hospital has a vested interest in the College’s ability to increase enrolment capacity in their nursing programs. These graduates become the skilled healthcare professionals we need to provide patient-centered care in the Sarnia-Lambton community.”
The College says it remains focused on maintaining access to nursing education and supporting students as they transition into the workforce.
“Lambton College remains focused on ensuring that our students have access to high-quality nursing education – and that our community will continue to benefit from a steady pipeline of qualified, compassionate healthcare professionals,” Kardas said.
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