Ontario to spend millions on university nursing programs

But will it help to ease the nursing shortage? Nurses say the real problem is poor working conditions and inadequate salaries.

Ontario is giving nursing schools $49 million to help students get through programs and graduate more quickly. The money is intended to help ease the nursing crisis.

Nearly $15-million will be used to fast-track nursing students so they can earn their degrees in less than four years. $24-million will be used to increase enrolment in Ontario.

One of nurses’ main concerns, however, is poor working conditions and inadequate pay. Critics say money should be slated to address these issues.

As many as 12,000 nurses are needed in Ontario. Approximately 40 per cent of nurses are slated to retire in the next 10 years.

Last October, a report was commissioned by provincial health ministers which recommended a 10 per cent increase in nursing school enrolment.

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