OTTAWA — The Ontario government is continuing to build a stronger health care workforce by establishing a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Carleton University in Ottawa. This program will be the first new, university-based nursing program in Ontario in 20 years, graduating more than 200 new nurses each year, helping to maintain and expand the province’s nursing workforce.
“I’m thrilled to be here at Carleton University as we announce Ontario’s first new nursing program in 20 years,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As we invest $50 billion in more than 50 new and upgraded hospital projects across the province, we’re also investing in the health care workforce Ontario families are counting on. Today’s announcement is part of that ongoing work, which includes the largest medical school expansion in over a decade, so we can continue connecting more people in Ontario to convenient care close to home.”
Starting in September 2025, Carleton University will offer a new, direct entry, compressed three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. The first class of up to 110 nursing students will be ready to practice as registered nurses by 2029. This new program will continue to grow to enroll more than 200 new nurses each year by 2030, building on the province’s work to date to grow the health care workforce by adding 6,500 new spaces in Ontario’s nursing programs over the last three years.
“Our government is taking action to expand Ontario’s health care workforce, adding thousands of new nurses to deliver the high-quality care people need, close to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Carleton University’s new nursing program will provide more students with the opportunity to launch their career in nursing to connect more families to care, for generations to come.”
In partnership with Queensway Carleton Hospital, nursing students enrolled in the Carleton University program will have the unique opportunity to receive hands-on training during their course of study, from their very first semester. Practical training in hospitals is crucial for nursing students to develop critical skills, enhance their confidence, and understand patient care dynamics in a real-world setting.
“This announcement provides another important option right here in Eastern Ontario for students looking to join our health care workforce,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “By giving universities like Carleton more freedom to innovate in how they educate our future nurses, students can enter this program right after high school, finish in three years, and start caring for families in Eastern Ontario and across the province even sooner.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is supporting new and innovative programs to train future health care providers and ensure people across the province have access to the care they need, when they need it.