Ontario invests $500 million to strengthen nursing workforce

Hopefully results trickle down to Kingston

Only time will tell if a new provincial strategy will result in more local nurse positions being filled.

The Ontario government is investing over $500 million to expand the nursing workforce and improve health care services. 

The funding will support the education of new nurses and provide specialized training for current staff. It also aims to reduce barriers for internationally educated nurses to register and start working sooner.

Since 2018, Ontario has added nearly 100,000 nurses to its workforce. The new investment includes $510 million to help 20,000 health care learners gain hands-on experience in hospitals and home care settings by 2027.

Additionally, the government is supporting more than 1,600 registered nurses with up to $1,000 in tuition assistance to train for advanced prescribing skills. 

Starting in April 2025, internationally educated nurses will be able to fast-track their registration process, saving time and money. These initiatives are designed to ensure Ontarians have access to timely, high-quality care.

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