The state-of-the-art specialty nursing lab at St. Lawrence College has officially opened its doors, following a $400,000 donation by the William James Henderson Foundation. In an effort to help bring an end to Ontario’s ongoing nurse shortage, it will provide future healthcare professionals with very important hands-on training-thought to be a key area in developing the skills essential to succeed in real world healthcare environments.
The lab, set to open in January 2025, provides students with highly sophisticated simulation opportunities that reflect actual healthcare settings like neonatal intensive care units and emergency rooms. A recent demonstration was staged, where the lab was designed to represent a hospital operating room to reflect its cutting-edge equipment and innovative learning environment.
Fourth-year nursing student at St. Lawrence College, Anne Matiowsky, was enthusiastic in her praise of the lab’s role in simulating the complexity of current healthcare. “You don’t learn that way from a book,” she explained. “This hands-on experience is priceless in teaching the practical skills one needs to succeed in this field.”
Michael Hickey, the executive director of the William James Henderson Foundation, said he was confident that the program was transformative. “When we identified this program as transformational education for nurses—especially given the shortage in Ontario—we felt it was money well spent,” he said.
Tricia Anderson, interim Associate Dean of the School of Nursing, also spoke about the support from the foundation. She acknowledged that training new nurses is very crucial in addressing the increasing demand for healthcare. She said the donation was “phenomenal” and described how it had positively impacted the college and the overall health care system.
While Anne Matiowsky will graduate before benefiting directly from the lab, she remains optimistic about the facility’s potential to enhance the quality of education for future students. “I’m looking around thinking, ‘This is really nice,’” she remarked during the demonstration. The specialty nursing lab at St. Lawrence College represents a significant investment in Ontario’s healthcare future, equipping students with the skills and experience they need to address the pressing healthcare challenges the province faces in the years ahead.
