New School of Nursing at Acadia Will Train More Nurses in Annapolis Valley
A new state-of-the-art nurse training facility will open at Acadia University for the 2026-27 academic year. (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
The Province is investing in a new state-of-the-art nurse training facility at Acadia University that will help educate more of these much-needed healthcare professionals.
The facility is expected to be open for the 2026-27 academic year and will allow Acadia to obtain accreditation for a standalone nursing program. The university successfully launched a satellite nursing program in partnership with Cape Breton University last year.
“Universities are critical to our long-term plan to train more nurses and the healthcare professionals we need, especially for rural parts of the province,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, on behalf of Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education. “We are proud to invest in a new training facility in the Annapolis Valley region so future nurses can train and learn in the communities they want to live and work in.”
Acadia renovated existing space last year to provide a temporary faculty office and laboratory space for the satellite program, which opened to the first cohort of 23 direct-entry students in September 2023. A second cohort of 42 students will start in September 2024.
The Province’s $13.9-million investment will help Acadia build a new facility that meets requirements – including a dry lab, clinic teaching spaces and simulation rooms with adjacent control rooms – to obtain accreditation for a full, permanent nursing program. By 2027, the program will target graduating 63 nurses every year.
The project will advance Action for Health, the Province’s plan to improve and transform healthcare in Nova Scotia, by investing in education and training opportunities to ensure the health needs of communities are met.
Quotes:
“With the Province's support, a new facility marks a significant milestone for nursing at Acadia, offering students a specialized learning environment tailored to the healthcare industry. Beyond benefiting nursing students, it has the opportunity to enhance the campus-wide learning experience by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. This support not only prepares students for the workforce but also empowers Acadia students to make a meaningful impact on healthcare in our region and throughout the province.”
— Jeff Hennessy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Acadia University
“We are thrilled to see this investment supporting the growth and development of Acadia University's nursing school and bolstering the future of healthcare in Nova Scotia. This funding will not only build a facility that will benefit nursing students, it will help us nurture the next generation of compassionate caregivers who will serve their communities with excellence and dedication. Acadia's commitment to advancing nursing education aligns seamlessly with our vision for a healthier tomorrow.”
— Annette Elliott Rose, Chief Nurse Executive and Vice President, Clinical Performance & Professional Practice, Nova Scotia Health
Quick Facts:
- design work for the new facility is expected to be completed by this fall and construction will begin by spring 2025
- the Province provided $1.9 million to Acadia in 2023 to establish the satellite nursing program
- about 50 per cent of the nursing seats in the program at Acadia University will be designated to Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous people and African Nova Scotians
Additional Resources:
Action for Health: https://actionforhealth.novascotia.ca/
News release – Province Invests in Training More Nurses: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/05/11/province-invests-training-more-nurses
News release – Government Invests in More Nursing Seats: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220712001
News release – New Practical Nursing Program Will Train 30 L’nu Students: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20221026004