Algonquin College celebrates 50 years of nursing education

Posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2026

An enthusiastic crowd gathered for a panel on Tuesday, Jan. 29 to celebrate 50 years of nursing education. Simulcast from the Algonquin College campuses in Pembroke and Ottawa, nursing leaders discussed the future of nursing and praised Algonquin College as a leader and partner.

“Today we come together to mark 50 years of nursing education at Algonquin College, and to celebrate the launch of our standalone Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours) at our Ottawa and Pembroke campuses,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO. “Since 1975, close to 16,000 nursing graduates have launched their careers here…The impact of their contributions cannot be overstated. Our graduates are woven into the everyday fabric of health care across this region: caring for families, supporting patients through life’s most complex moments, and strengthening the resilience of our health system.”

The panel, titled Honouring 50 Years of Nursing, brought together healthcare leaders and students to reflect on the evolution of nursing, current challenges, and innovations shaping the future of care, reinforcing the College’s leadership in nursing education.

Panelists included Karima Velji, RN, PhD; Leigh Chapman, RN, PhD; Paula Doering, RN, MBA; Marguerite Donohue, Sue LeBeau and Jennifer White, RN, BScN. The event was moderated by Angela Rintoul, Dean, Pembroke Campus in Pembroke and Erin Stitt-Cavanagh, Dean, School of Health Studies, in Ottawa.

Following the panel, attendees were invited to tour the teaching facilities and labs at the respective campuses.

The celebration also served as a launch for the College’s next chapter in nursing education: the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours) degree program, beginning Sept. 2026 at both the Ottawa and Pembroke campuses. Building on Algonquin’s reputation for hands-on, high-quality training, the program expands access to degree level education close to home. Graduates will be eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurses (NCLEX) and College of Nurses Ontario (CNO) Jurisprudence exam to become a Registered Nurse in Canada.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours) program.

• Posted in
• News
• Tags: