Bold ideas often emerge from the most urgent needs—and nowhere is this more apparent than in our communities. It also helps that our community is home to Canada’s largest tech park, which led to a strategic partnership between QCH Foundation and the Kanata North Business Association in 2021. This collaboration opened the door for QCH to participate in a TechTuesday event, a monthly forum, hosted by Wesley Clover International, for the business and tech community to make connections and to discuss challenges facing various sectors. It was here that a conversation about healthcare sparked an inspiring new initiative.

QCH Foundation invited Yvonne Wilson, Queensway Carleton Hospital’s Chief Nurse and Vice President of Patient Care, to talk about the urgent need for innovation in healthcare, particularly in nursing. Canada is facing an alarming nursing shortage, with a projected shortfall of nearly 117,000 nurses by 2030. In Ontario, unfilled nursing positions are placing unsustainable pressure on hospitals and care facilities, driving up costs and stretching resources to the limit. Yvonne discussed the opportunities for growth in the nursing profession and the roadblocks that slow down change.

After hearing Yvonne’s insights, global tech pioneer Terry Matthews issued a challenge that struck a chord with everyone in the room: think bigger, innovate fearlessly, and collaborate across sectors to tackle healthcare’s most pressing problems. This rallying cry set the stage for a groundbreaking partnership between QCH and Carleton University. Together, they launched a revolutionary new nursing program—Canada’s first in over 20 years.

This Fall, 110 students will be making history as the first cohort in the new nursing program. They were selected from more than 700 applicants.

▶️ CLICK HERE to learn more about Canada’s new Nursing School

This new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program breaks from tradition in ways that truly matter. By offering a three-year degree instead of the standard four, it accelerates the time needed to train nurses and fill critical workforce gaps. It also integrates cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and simulation training with hands-on hospital experience, ensuring that graduates are equipped to meet today’s challenges while preparing for the future of healthcare.

Though this program is rooted in the Ottawa region, its impact could soon be felt across Canada, influencing nursing education nationwide. It demonstrates that solutions born locally can spark broader systemic change.

But this initiative is more than just a new approach to nursing education; it serves as a blueprint for tackling the systemic resource shortages which continually challenge our healthcare system. QCH Foundation is proud to have played a role in bringing this conversation to life. The development of this innovative nursing program underscores the power of collaboration, bold thinking, and shared purpose in solving even the most daunting challenges.

We need to see more of this kind of collaboration in the non-profit sector. Donors, and our community as a whole, want to see organizations working together, creating efficiencies, and delivering tangible results that address urgent needs. This approach not only resonates with our community but also underscores the commitment both QCH and QCH Foundation have to strengthening healthcare in our region and setting a national example. Most importantly, it reflects how collaboration can inspire lasting change, ensuring donor dollars go further and leave a legacy that benefits everyone.

This exciting shift in nursing education is not just theoretical—it’s already becoming a reality. In September, the first cohort of students will begin their studies in this innovative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. These students will be at the forefront of a new era in healthcare, benefiting from a curriculum that blends cutting-edge technology with real-world hospital experience. As they embark on their journey, they will not only be shaping their own futures but also contributing to a brighter future for Canada’s healthcare system as a whole.

This is just the beginning. As more students enter this program, we will continue to see the ripple effects of innovation and collaboration in nursing education, reinforcing the power of community-driven solutions. Together, we have the opportunity to bridge the gap between the challenges we face today and the healthcare solutions of tomorrow.