The Ontario government today announced its decision to give colleges the option to deliver standalone nursing degree programs.

While this option may be pursued in some areas of the province, in Hamilton, Mohawk College and McMaster University are going to continue their partnership to jointly deliver nursing programs and graduates to help strengthen healthcare delivery in Hamilton and Ontario.

“Mohawk College and McMaster University remain fully committed to our partnership and will continue to work together to provide the best educational experience for students,” said Ron McKerlie, Mohawk College president. “We value the contributions each partner makes to the collective program.”

“Our two institutions have developed unique ways of working together,” says David Farrar, McMaster University president. “Our innovative program creates amazing nursing graduates and we will continue to develop new approaches as we strengthen our collaborations.”

Since 2000, the province has required all colleges wishing to offer a nursing degree program to partner with a university. In some regions, this meant students enrolled in a college program had to relocate to a different community to complete their studies at university.

McMaster University and Mohawk began their collaborative program in 2000. The program provides a nursing curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from McMaster University; students have clinical placement experiences in health care and community agencies in Hamilton, Halton, Brantford, Niagara and surrounding areas.

McMaster also has a longstanding joint program with Conestoga College and continues to support that collaboration to benefit overall healthcare delivery in Kitchener and the surrounding region.