Officials announced today that Ontario will be adding 121 additional training positions to the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program this year to address the high demand and shortage in the field.
“Expanding training opportunities to become a nurse practitioner will grow this important profession, ensuring more Ontarians can connect to high-quality care, when and where they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced university education that can provide primary care in nurse practitioner-led clinics, long-term care homes, hospitals, and other community settings. They connect people to a full range of health care services including prescribing, ordering and interpreting tests, and diagnosing and treating illnesses.
“Nurse practitioners play a key role in our plan to build a resilient health care system in Ontario,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Supporting additional training seats will ensure more graduates are part of the next generation of health care professionals that will provide Ontarians the excellent care they deserve.”
Since September 2023, additional nurse practitioner positions include up to:
24 new positions at University of Windsor
20 new positions at University of Toronto
17 new positions at Toronto Metropolitan University
16 new positions at Western University
15 new positions at Queen’s University
11 new positions at York University
8 new positions at McMaster University
6 new positions at Laurentian University of Sudbury
4 new positions at Lakehead University
With this expansion the total number of nurse practitioner training positions will be 321 at schools, bring the province closer to its goal of 350.
Ontario’s Community Commitment Program for Nurses offers a $25,000 incentive for nurses who commit to work in an area of highest need for two years.
Applications are also open for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant for the 2023-24 academic year. The grant provides full, upfront funding for tuition, books and other costs for first-year postsecondary students who enrol in an eligible nursing, paramedic or medical laboratory technologist program and agree to stay in high-needs communities to work after graduation for a term of service.
“Given the growth of our aging population and the growing complexity of health care needs in our province, nurse practitioners will continue to play a crucial role in strengthening our health care workforce,” TMU President and Vice-chancellor Dr. Mohamed Lachemi said in a statement. “TMU welcomes these additional training spots, which will allow us to further contribute to the training of the next generation of nurse practitioners.”
Last year, over 15,000 new nurses registered to work in the province, with another 30,000 nursing students currently studying at one of Ontario’s colleges and universities.
