Ontario Boosts Nursing Workforce with $500M Investment
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing over $500 million to expand and strengthen its nursing workforce, aiming to address healthcare challenges and ensure Ontarians have timely access to quality care. The initiative, announced by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, includes specialized education for new and current nurses, as well as streamlined registration for internationally trained nurses.
“Our government continues to build up Ontario’s current and future healthcare workforce,” said Jones, emphasizing the importance of bolstering system capacity and enhancing access to care.
Our government is investing $500M to support our highly skilled nursing workforce by:
☑️giving more than 20,000 future nurses clinical experience
☑️reducing barriers for internationally educated nurses
☑️covering tuition costs for RNs learning to prescribe pic.twitter.com/EkzhCMO34V— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) November 20, 2024
Supporting Education and Training
The investment, part of the province’s ongoing efforts to reinforce the healthcare system, will provide over 20,000 health care learners with opportunities to work in hospitals and community care settings by the end of 2027.
Key components of the plan include:
- Enhanced Extern Program (EEP): Hospitals will hire nursing and allied health students, as well as internationally trained nurses, to work under supervision in unregulated roles.
- Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP): This program offers internationally educated nurses a pathway to meet licensing requirements through supervised practice while demonstrating their skills and language proficiency.
Additionally, $1.6 million will be allocated over the next year to support over 1,600 registered nurses in advanced training. Eligible nurses can receive up to $1,000 towards tuition for courses enabling them to prescribe medications for conditions like contraception and smoking cessation.
Streamlining International Nurse Registration
Starting April 1, 2025, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) will simplify the registration process for internationally trained nurses. Those with a baccalaureate degree or diploma will bypass the current education assessment step, saving up to $7,500 and reducing delays in joining the workforce.
Building on Success
Since 2018, Ontario has added nearly 100,000 nurses to its workforce. The province’s latest investment seeks to continue this momentum, addressing staff shortages and improving patient care.
This initiative is part of Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the government’s strategy to enhance healthcare access and services across Ontario.
