George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
As George Brown Polytechnic (GBP) gets ready to welcome students to its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours) degree program this fall, leaders across the institution say nursing education will continue to play a critical role in strengthening Ontario’s health system.
The four-year degree program is designed to prepare graduates to become Registered Nurses (RNs) who deliver safe, ethical, and evidence-informed care across Ontario’s diverse communities and health care settings.
Preparing nurses through education
Dr. Hassun Malik, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, says nursing education directly influences the quality of care across the country.
“A resilient health system depends on strong nursing education” he says. “George Brown has been leading the charge on educating highly skilled nurses for over 50 years. Programs like ours ensure graduates are prepared to respond to evolving clinical and organizational demands.”
He adds that George Brown Polytechnic is proud of its students, faculty, and staff, and the contributions they continue to make to the health system.
Building future-ready graduates
Dr. Wendy Ellis, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, says National Nursing Week is an opportunity to recognize both the profession and the role education plays in supporting it.
“Within our academic community, we remain committed to advancing scholarship, strengthening evidence-based practice, and preparing the next generation of nursing leaders,” she says.
Ellis also thanked faculty, students and nursing professionals for their dedication to improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
Supporting the next generation of nurses
Dr. Paula Crawford, Associate Dean of the School of Nursing, says students continue to shape the future of the profession through their perspectives and commitment to learning.
“I am always inspired by the energy and perspective student nurses bring to our profession,” she says. “Their curiosity and openness to learning helps shape how nursing continues to grow and evolve.”
She adds that Nursing Week is also a chance to recognize the impact students are already making as future health care professionals.
“The future of nursing is clearly in good hands,” she says.
Put your future on the front line with George Brown’s nursing programs
A message from Dr. Leigh Chapman, RN, PhD, Chief Nursing Officer, Health Canada:
Happy Nursing week to George Brown Polytechnic (GBP) nursing students, faculty and alumni. The 2026 theme for Nursing Week, The Power of Nurses to Transform Health, speaks to the vital role nurses play impacting the lives of people in Canada from coast to coast to coast. As the largest group of regulated health professionals in Canada, nurses are the foundation of our healthcare system which is why nursing retention is needed, now more than ever. I urge you to utilize the Nursing Retention Toolkit as a resource in courses, assignments and clinical placements. It provides valuable insights, developed by and for nurses across Canada, on how to improve the working lives of nurses in Canada. Be sure to take time to celebrate the nursing profession this week. Happy Nursing Week!