Fleming College at the Forefront of Ontario’s Nursing Program Transformation

Fleming College plays a large role in a provincially funded project aimed at expanding access to and enhancing nursing education across Ontario.

As the province continues to strengthen its nursing workforce, Fleming College will play a role in the Nursing Program Transformation Initiative (NPTI) — a multi-phase, provincially funded project aimed at expanding access to and enhancing nursing education across Ontario.

Spearheaded by Colleges Ontario in support of the Ministry of Long-Term Care, the NPTI has been underway for the past three years and focuses on developing pathways that accelerate entry into the nursing profession. One of the most impactful outcomes to date is the new online personal support worker (PSW) to practical nursing (PN) pathway. It officially launched in spring 2023, and this coming spring, the first cohort of students who have completed the PSW to PN pathway are expected to enter semester two of Fleming’s PN program.

Fleming one of few colleges in Ontario accepting students in PN program through bridging program

While the provincial model is newly introduced, it’s based in large part on Fleming’s internal PSW to PN bridging program, which has successfully helped PSWs transition into practical nursing roles for years. Students in the local area and across Ontario can now access this pathway, with Fleming being one of few colleges in the province accepting students into the PN program through this route.

“Fleming’s existing success in the PSW to PN pathway positioned us as a natural fit to help lead this transformation,” says Nick Stone, Associate Vice President of Applied Health. “We’re proud to support more learners in advancing their careers while also helping to strengthen Ontario’s healthcare workforce.”

Fleming’s role in phase two of the NPTI

As part of Phase Two of the NPTI, Fleming is also taking a leadership role in developing innovative delivery models for the PN program. Fleming is uniquely positioned in Ontario to deliver the Nursing Transformation version of the PN diploma in a HyFlex format — allowing students to choose between in-person, synchronous online, or asynchronous online learning options for their theory courses.

These advancements are already showing positive results. With three intakes per year, Fleming will allocate dedicated seats to students entering through the new pathways. Local partners, including Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), are seeing firsthand the benefits of increased nursing graduates ready to enter the workforce.

Graduates of Fleming’s PN program boast a 98% employment rate in a related field, and those transitioning from the PSW role open themselves up to additional opportunities and increased earning potential.

As the province looks to build a more resilient healthcare workforce, Fleming College remains committed to innovation, collaboration, and student success.