Nursing students at St. Clair College in Chatham no longer have to travel to University of Windsor for their third year and placement in the fourth year.
College and university officials made the announcement at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) on Thursday, saying the entire four year nursing program will now be available at the Chatham campus.
Chatham resident and third year University of Windsor nursing student Crystal Wellington told CK News Today less commuting works out great because nursing students will stay fresher for learning and won't be so exhausted at the end of the day.
"I'm a mom and I have other responsibilities and the transit can be challenging in regards to studying. I tried traveling for the semester for two days and I couldn't do anything when I got home in regards to studying. I was beat and swamped," said Wellington.
Chatham resident and third year University of Windsor nursing student Holly Lalibertie said less commuting will mean less money spent on gas.
"The commute is going to be less than two minutes, it's going to be amazing. It's going to better on gas, you can save money. It's going to be a lot easier for me," said Lalibertie.
CKHA CEO Lori Marshall hopes more nursing students will stay in Chatham-Kent and will help return hospital staffing levels back to normal.
"The thought that all of these really bright young minds are able to learn and stay here means that maybe eventually we'll have a better chance of recruiting them to stay here afterwards once they're ready to practice," Marshall said.
Marshall told CK News Today the vacancy rate at CKHA is coming down.
St. Clair College President Patti France said it makes sense to keep the nursing students in their home community throughout their educations, especially in their clinical placements, because they become "ultra-familiar" with their clientele in Chatham-Kent.
University of Windsor President Robert Gordon said the revised agreement between St. Clair College and the University of Windsor exemplifies their commitment to being a driving force for positive change in this region and "puts student experience at the forefront of program delivery."
