With the start of a new school year comes a new Faculty name and the launch of Humber’s Polytechnic’s first-ever School of Nursing.

As part of the initiatives emerging from Building Brilliance, the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness has been renamed the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences. Life sciences describes health programming related to the entire spectrum of life, from molecular to the society level and includes all aspects of health.  

Along with the name change, the Faculty has established a School of Nursing. The new school will be led by Dr. Sandra Filice, who transitioned from her role as associate dean of Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs, to serve as the inaugural dean. She’s been in the position since Aug. 25.

Dr. Filice said that recognizing the degree to which Ontario’s health-care systems rest on the scale and capability of nursing support, it’s critical that post-secondary education expand the capacity and scope of nursing education.  

The School of Nursing, which incorporates the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program along with the Bachelor of Science – Nursing (BSCN) and Practical Nursing programs, aligns with BSCN accreditation recommendations made by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) and bolsters existing plans for program growth and expansion. It also reflects the many years of exceptional nursing education that Humber has provided.  

Learners will benefit from the expected increase in partnerships and research opportunities. In the Bachelor of Science – Nursing program, there’s a practicum in which students engage with the community about health promotion needs. Dr. Filice said there will be more opportunities for this thanks to the program’s raised profile from the new School.

During the accreditation process for the Bachelor of Science – Nursing program, the CASN recommended the establishment of a School of Nursing guided by a dean.  

“Having the School of Nursing provides more opportunity for engagement with our partners in both research and scholarship,” said Dr. Filice. “It also elevates the programs and having the School of Nursing will help support our future goals to offer advanced nursing degrees.”

“It gives recognition to our longstanding history of delivering outstanding programs and producing outstanding graduates, which our practice partners will attest to,” she continued. “It’s an important step in the right direction for the profession and for Humber.”

Find out more by visiting Humber’s Nursing and PSW program webpage.