​​Training equipment for simulation in the program

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Health Sciences North (HSN) is proud to announce a transformative donation of $250,000 from the RBC Foundation to enhance simulation training for nurses entering the workforce. This significant contribution underscores HSN's position as a leading academic health sciences center committed to excellence in education, research, and patient care. By supporting state-of-the-art simulation training, RBC Foundation is empowering frontline nurses with the skills and confidence necessary to excel in their vital roles within the health care system.

The Importance of Education in Post-Pandemic Nursing

“The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the landscape of health care, placing a spotlight on the critical role of education in nursing. Education is the bedrock of high-quality patient care, equipping nurses with the ability to adapt to evolving clinical demands, innovate care delivery, and implement advanced health interventions," said Lisa Smith, HSN's Chief Nursing Executive and Vice-President of Medicine. She added, “About 25 per cent of our roughly 1,400 nurses were hired in the last two years and includes many new graduates and internationally trained nurses. As these novice nurses completed part of their education during the pandemic, training and education in a hospital setting are even more essential. HSN's enhanced educational programs aim to bridge experience gaps and prepare nurses for the complexities of modern health care."

Scott Simon, RBC Regional Vice President, emphasized the importance of supporting health care professionals: “We recognize that nurses are essential to the health care system, and it is incredibly important that they are not only knowledgeable but also have hands-on experience to navigate tough situations efficiently and confidently. We are proud to support the innovative training happening at Health Sciences North and empower this generation of nurses starting their careers in Northern Ontario."

(From left to right): Julie Allen, manager of Nursing Professional Practice at HSN, Joanne Cecile Collin, manager of Nursing Professional Practice at HSN, and Nicole Adams, a registered nurse in HSN's Intensive Care Unit. ​

​Strengthening Nursing Through Simulation Training

The RBC Foundation's funding will support two key initiatives at HSN: the Novice Nurse Workshops and the SIM-2-You program. Designed by HSN's Professional Practice team in collaboration with the Simulation Lab, these programs aim to enhance patient and staff safety, build confidence and skills for new nurses, and foster a culture of continuous learning.

Julie Allen is HSN's Manager of Nursing Professional Practice. “Novice Nurse Workshops bring together novice and experienced nurses to focus on clinical practices, hands-on procedural skills, and non-technical skills such as decision-making and situational awareness. To date, 71 nurses have benefited from these sessions, which combine didactic learning, high-fidelity simulation, and case-based scenarios. Nurses who attended praised the program for its engaging content and practical value," she says.

Novice nurses who took part in the program said the class was highly engaging and of exceptional quality across all subjects. They talked about the importance of gaining a significant amount of knowledge from the experience and the benefit of discussions on physical assessment and palliative care were outstanding, along with the practical scenarios presented.

Beginning in January 2025, the workshop will be offered monthly to support the onboarding of new nurses, with plans to extend its reach to additional organizations in Northern Ontario.

The Nursing Professional Practice team in collaboration with the state-of-the-art Simulation Lab, located at HSN's Labelle Innovation and Learning Centre, launched a SIM-2-You Program in the fall of 2024.

“Education is one of the pillars that makes HSN an academic health sciences centre," said Dr. Robert Ohle, HSN's Vice-President of Academic and Research Impact. “The SIM-2-You program brings simulation equipment directly to clinical units, enabling nurses to train in unit-specific environments and scenarios. By providing a hands-on, immersive learning experience, nurses are able to practice and refine techniques in a safe, controlled environment to support the provision of safe, high-quality patient care. The Sim-2-You Program also offers continuing education opportunities for experienced staff, ensuring all nurses at HSN remain at the forefront of clinical excellence," said Dr. Ohle.

A Ripple Effect Across Northeastern Ontario

The initial phase of these programs targets over 200 novice nurses in their first and second years at HSN. Over three years, approximately 1,700 nurses—including those at HSN satellite sites—will benefit. The long-term vision includes expanding these initiatives to 22 community hospital partners across Northeastern Ontario, strengthening the region's health care workforce and improving patient care.

“Simulation training plays a crucial role in allowing nurses to practice and refine their techniques in a safe and controlled environment," said Crystal Pitfield, HSN's Administrative Director of Emergency Care Program and Nursing Professional Practice. “By supporting simulation training for our novice nurses, RBC Foundation is helping expedite learning, close experience gaps, and ultimately improve the patient experience in our community."

A Legacy of Support

RBC's relationship with HSN extends beyond this donation. Over the years, the RBC Foundation and the local RBC Wealth Management group have contributed a total of $541,500 to various initiatives, including cancer care, pediatric care, and equipment-funding campaigns. This cumulative support has had a profound impact on patients across Northeastern Ontario.

Anthony Keating, President of the Foundations at HSN, expressed gratitude for this ongoing partnership: “We are incredibly grateful to RBC Foundation for this generous donation and for the support that RBC has provided to HSN over the years. So many elements come together to make a positive patient experience—our spaces, our technology, but most importantly, our people. This donation will make an incredible impact to ensure the delivery of exceptional care for patients throughout Northeastern Ontario."

Building a Resilient Health Care System

The RBC Foundation's $250,000 gift is part of a broader $6 million national commitment to reskilling, upskilling, and improving the resiliency of health care workers across Canada. At HSN, these funds will help address the unique challenges faced by new graduates and internationally educated nurses, ensuring a consistent and robust onboarding experience through programs like the Novice Nurse Workshops and SIM-2-You.

​By investing in cutting-edge simulation training, HSN is building a more resilient health care system that prioritizes excellence in patient care and supports the professional growth of its workforce. Thanks to the generosity of partners like the RBC Foundation, HSN continues to lead the way in innovative nursing education, setting a standard for academic health sciences centers across the country.