Two generous new grants from community partners are helping Brock University prepare more nurses for the front lines of health care, making a direct impact in Niagara and beyond.

The Niagara Community Foundation (NCF) has donated $110,000 to enhance Brock’s Nursing Simulation Labs with advanced equipment. The funding supports the purchase of essential training tools such as blood pressure trainer arms and lab upgrades that enhance experiential learning and support research into nursing education practices.

Bryan Rose, Executive Director of NCF, said the Foundation “is proud to continue its support of Brock’s innovative and impactful programs.” He emphasized the importance of investing in local solutions and noted the funding will help address the nursing shortage in Niagara and across Ontario by supporting the vital work being done at Brock.

Also contributing to these efforts is the J.P. Bickell Foundation, which recently granted $39,069 to fund birth simulators, CPR manikins, overbed tables and wall-mounted cardiac monitors in Brock’s Nursing Simulation Lab. This follows a $20,000 gift in 2022 for junior patient simulators. The foundation has a longstanding relationship with Brock and continues to support initiatives that respond directly to community needs.

These investments come at a pivotal time, with Brock’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program tripling its enrolment over the past three years and the largest-ever intake arriving this past fall.

“Ontario’s health-care system is under pressure, and the need for skilled, confident nurses is greater than ever,” said Meaghan Rusnell, Vice-President, External. “Brock is responding with bold, innovative programs, and our partners recognize that. Their support enables us to equip more students to serve and lead in the health-care sector.”

Simulated learning is a cornerstone of the program. From birth simulations to cardiac scenarios, students are immersed in realistic practice environments that help them build the clinical judgment and critical thinking skills they need to thrive in hospital and community care settings. The labs are also used for research that advances nursing knowledge, education and teaching practices.

“This equipment has a direct and transformative impact on our students,” said Karyn Taplay, Chair of Brock’s Department of Nursing. “Simulations allow them to make critical decisions, develop psychomotor skills, increase confidence and apply theory to practice all in a safe learning environment so they can transfer this knowledge and skill into practice.”

In addition to the BScN program, Brock offers Canada’s first and only concurrent Bachelor of Nursing/Master of Nursing (BN/MN) degree, an accelerated 20-month program that allows students who have already completed a four-year bachelor’s degree to graduate faster than traditional four-year nursing programs while gaining graduate-level knowledge and leadership skills.

Graduates from both programs are known for their excellence and enter the workforce prepared to make an immediate difference. Many choose to stay and serve in the Niagara region, strengthening local human health resources.

The combined support from NCF and the J.P. Bickell Foundation reflects a shared commitment to community well-being, student success and the future of health care.

“These investments are helping Brock meet today’s challenges and build tomorrow’s solutions,” said Rusnell. “We’re grateful for the trust our partners place in us and proud to deliver real impact for Niagara and extended communities.”