Doctor (Photo by © Can Stock Photo / Kurhan) Doctor (Photo by © Can Stock Photo / Kurhan)
Windsor

Ontario expands nurse practitioner programs

The University of Windsor's Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program has room for more students after the province opened up 121 more spots across Ontario.

The government added the new spots in September.

The University of Windsor's program will add another 24 spots, the most of the nine university programs that benefit from Monday's announcement.

"Our government recognizes the important frontline work nurse practitioners do to provide people primary care and support," said Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones. "Expanding training opportunities to become a nurse practitioner will grow this important profession, ensuring more Ontarians can connect to high-quality care, when and where they need it."

About 30,000 nursing students are currently studying to join the profession.

The government said the additional spots bring the total number of nurse practitioner training positions up to 321. It has set a goal of 350.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who can prescribe medication, order and interpret tests, and diagnose and treat illnesses.

The number of spots in the program at Western University grew by 16, 20 at the University of Toronto, and 17 at Toronto Metropolitan University. Other schools that saw their programs grow are Queen's University, York University, McMaster University, Laurentian University, and Lakehead University.

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