Monica Staley-Liang, chair of the School of Nursing, and president Patti France of St. Clair College, UWindsor president Robert Gordon and dean of nursing Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine sign a memorandum of understanding at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday.
Nursing students studying in Chatham will no longer have to travel down Highway 401 to complete their degree, thanks to a revised agreement between the University of Windsor and St. Clair College.
Leadership from both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding on nursing education in Chatham-Kent, Thursday at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
The collaborative nursing program partnership began in 2001, with the first MOU being signed between St. Clair College and the University of Windsor in 2012.
Initially, students enrolled in the program completed their first two years at the college’s Chatham campus, followed by the third year at the University of Windsor and culminating with fourth-year clinical placements.
However, with the signing of the new MOU, the entire four-year BScN program will now be available at the Chatham campus, eliminating the need for students to travel to Windsor for their third year of study.
“This MOU between the University and St. Clair College exemplifies our commitment to being a driving force for positive change in this region and putting student experience at the forefront of program delivery,” said University of Windsor president Robert Gordon.
“By offering the complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at St. Clair College’s Chatham campus, we are not only enhancing educational accessibility but also fortifying our role as a regional catalyst for progress. Together, we bring global perspectives, emerging knowledge, and leadership to the table as we address regional challenges.”
St. Clair College President Patti France said the vast majority of Chatham-based nursing students end up working in that community after graduating.
“To develop their familiarity with the various facets of the Chatham-Kent health-care system, it makes sense to keep them in that area throughout their educations — and especially in their clinical placements,” she said. “We’re grateful for the University of Windsor’s co-operation in making that happen, and to clinical placement agencies for welcoming our students.”