Norfolk General Hospital and Fanshawe College forge partnership
Thursday, December 21, 2023
(SIMCOE) – Norfolk General Hospital (NGH), the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home (NHNH), and Fanshawe College’s Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus are proud to announce a new and innovative partnership aimed at tackling the shortage of healthcare professionals in our community. This unique and mutually beneficial collaboration aims to provide enhanced educational opportunities, enabling nursing and personal support worker (PSW) students to complete their studies and secure employment close to home.
The primary goal of this partnership is to offer graduates from Fanshawe College’s PSW and Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) programs the opportunity to access placements and job opportunities at both NGH and the NHNH. This symbiotic relationship is beneficial not only for the students, offering them a clear path to a rewarding career, but also for both organizations as they work together to cultivate the next generation of skilled healthcare professionals.
Todd Stepanuik, President and CEO of Norfolk General Hospital and the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home, stressed the importance of forging a transformative partnership with Fanshawe College and emphasized the long-term dedication to enhancing the healthcare workforce at NGH and the NHNH.
“At Norfolk General Hospital and the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home, our commitment to strengthening our workforce remains steadfast,” stated Todd Stepanuik, President and Chief Executive Officer at NGH and NHNH. “Our exciting collaboration with Fanshawe College represents an opportunity to expand horizons for prospective healthcare professionals. Recognizing the importance of flexible learning journeys, we believe that broadening local opportunities empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions to their careers.”
The new collaboration between NGH, NHNH, and Fanshawe College marks a significant stride in addressing the critical healthcare workforce shortage faced within our organizations. By providing accessible education and promising job prospects, this partnership aims to reshape the future of healthcare and augment the pipeline of valuable health human resources to NGH and the NHNH. This new partnership will also provide Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), and PSW students the opportunity to work in their chosen career before their graduation, under the guidance and supervision of a registered nurse (RN), RPN or a PSW.
At NGH and NHNH, we proudly offer opportunities for healthcare students to learn and grow. Currently, we facilitate over 40 student placements each year at NGH and the NHNH.
According to Donna Gates, associate dean of Fanshawe’s Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus, the College is proud to work closely with employers to offer exceptional work-integrated learning opportunities developed in response to labour market needs, including rural healthcare education and staffing in Norfolk County.
“These placements will help us unlock the potential of our students and the communities we serve by giving aspiring nurses and PSWs an incredible opportunity to get their foot in the door where they can begin to make an impact on our community,” said Gates.
This partnership builds on extensive work the College has completed over the past year to purchase and renew equipment and learning resources for healthcare labs on campus, a refurbishment made possible by the province’s $60 million College Equipment and Renewal Fund announced in 2022.
“It’s an exciting time to be a student,” added Gates.
Fanshawe’s Simcoe-based PSW program enrolls new students in January, September, and May, ensuring accessibility for those interested in pursuing a healthcare career. Fanshawe’s RPN program will welcome its first nursing students in September 2024. Anyone interested in touring the campus or the new health lab should contact Tiffany Daniel at tdaniel@fanshawec.ca
About Fanshawe College Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus
Fanshawe College’s Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus has been helping people achieve success through advancing their education since 1967. The campus offers certificate and diploma programs, continuing education, customized corporate training for business and industry, career and employment preparation and counselling services.
For more information, please contact:
Aaron Gautreau
Director of Communications, Norfolk General Hospital.
519-426-0130 ext. 2454
agauterau@ngh.on.ca
Kyle Rooks
Communications Officer, Fanshawe College
519-520-6679
krooks@fanshawec.ca
