Lambton College is celebrating the Ontario government's decision to allow stand-alone nursing degree programs.
President Judy Morris said current students spend two years at Lambton before transferring to the University of Windsor to complete the program.
"We are extremely happy about this announcement, it's been a long time coming," said Morris. "We're really pleased that this minister had the courage to move in this direction and really recognized that colleges across the system are in a position to, quite capably, offer the four-year Bachelor of Science Nursing Program."
Morris said the new program still has to be developed and approved.
"We will conclude our collaboration with the University of Windsor in 2022. There are a number of things we have to do prior to that. There are a number of different approvals that have to happen with the Postsecondary Education Quality Assurance Board and the Colleges of Nurses of Ontario."
Morris said the stand-alone program will make nursing more attractive for students who wish to study and pursue careers in Sarnia-Lambton, rather than relocating.
Lambton College opened its NOVA Chemicals Health & Research Centre last May.
The 60,000 square foot facility has a 40-bed nursing lab, two intensive care unit rooms, two simulated advanced care suites, a paramedic lab, an amphitheatre and three classrooms.
