The University of Windsor is proud to be the first university in Ontario integrating Registered Nurse (RN) prescribing education into its undergraduate nursing curriculum an initiative that positions the institution at the forefront of innovation in nursing education and healthcare delivery.
Supported by new provincial funding announced last Thursday, this initiative will equip future nurses with advanced knowledge and clinical skills, enabling them to safely and effectively prescribe medications.
The expanded scope of practice for RNs will strengthen healthcare capacity across the province and contribute to improved patient outcomes.
"We are excited to see the RN prescribing course being piloted within undergraduate nursing education at the University of Windsor," said Gina Pittman, assistant professor and clinical placement co-lead for the Nurse Practitioner Consortium.
"By embedding this course at the undergraduate level, we are not only enhancing clinical competency, but also preparing future nurses to take on expanded roles in patient care with greater autonomy, confidence, and responsiveness to the evolving needs of our healthcare system. It's an exciting time for nursing education and for the future of healthcare delivery in Ontario."
With the provincial government's recent expansion of the scope of practice for RNs to include prescribing certain medications, the University of Windsor is proud to be leading this important advancement.
In addition to delivering this education to current practising nurses, the University is also taking a leadership role in integrating RN prescribing education into undergraduate nursing paving the way for expanded opportunities for future nurses.
The introduction of RN prescribing into the undergraduate curriculum comes at a critical time, as Ontario and Canada continue to face healthcare workforce shortages.
By equipping graduates with expanded competencies, the University of Windsor is helping to enhance access to timely, high-quality care particularly in underserved communities.
"This is an exciting advancement for our students and for the future of healthcare in Windsor-Essex and across Ontario," said Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine, dean of the Faculty of Nursing. "By embedding RN prescribing into our undergraduate curriculum, we are preparing graduates with the advanced skills and confidence they need to meet the evolving needs of patients in our local communities and throughout the province. We sincerely thank the province for supporting this important step forward in nursing education."
The Faculty of Nursing is working closely with clinical and community partners to implement this and looks forward to welcoming the first cohort of students into this enhanced education.
