Changing the rules not a simple solution to nursing crisis: Opinion

Changing the rules around what institutions are allowed to offer nursing degrees may not be a simple solution to the nursing crisis, writes reporter Patty Winsa. An announcement from Ontario in 2020 allowed colleges to offer stand-alone nursing degrees, which resulted in several institutions receiving approval to offer bachelor’s degree programs in nursing in 2021. The college programs may have the greatest impact in rural areas where nurses are desperately needed, since students can complete their clinical practices in these communities and may be more likely to stay there. However, Winsa says retaining current nurses is as challenging as getting new ones, as nurses are facing burnout, feel they are not being compensated adequately, and face changes to the professionalism and skills required of them. Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.