Next generation of health-care workers hone their craft at Oakville, Milton hospitals

More than 350 students in the health field will be taking their next education steps at hospitals in Milton and Oakville.

Halton Healthcare has welcomed 363 learners across various disciplines to its facilities, reinforcing its commitment to education and professional development.

The new cohort includes 318 nursing students, 26 allied health learners and 19 non-clinical trainees, who contribute to and benefit from the dynamic health-care environment at Halton Healthcare.

The incoming learners encompass a wide range of specialties and roles.

The clinical learners include 26 allied health students specializing in fields such as midwifery, sonography, medical laboratory technology and speech language pathology, who will be placed across Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and Milton District Hospital.

“We are thrilled to welcome these dedicated learners and instructors to Halton Healthcare,” said Carole Moore, chief nursing executive.

“Our goal is to provide them with exceptional learning opportunities and create an environment where they feel truly valued. By integrating education with real-world experience, we hope to inspire and prepare them for successful careers in healthcare.”

Among the new learners are 26 nursing instructors who will guide 225 students across 32 groups this semester. Additionally, Halton Healthcare supports 88 pre-graduate nursing students and five masters and nurse practitioner students, reflecting the institution’s dedication to nurturing future health-care professionals.

Non-clinical learners include 19 participants in the Project Search program and a student placed with the finance department from the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Adult Learning Centre. This diverse group will gain hands-on experience across various departments, contributing to their growth and development.

“I’m really excited to delve into this hands-on hospital environment in my last year of nursing school,” said Alliyah Barte, from McMaster University. “This program is a great opportunity for me to learn more about the kind of nursing I’d like to pursue after I graduate.”

The nursing students are engaged in a range of placements and programs, including from Humber College’s accelerated nursing program and McMaster University’s accelerated BScN stream. These students are placed in specific units such as the Adult Mental Health unit and 4 North at Oakville hospital, providing them with focused, practical experience.

“A lot of people may be nervous going into placements but I’m very excited and eager to start knowing we have a good support system here and dynamic team engagement,” said Olivia Conway, a student from Western University. “By being an extern here for two years, I’ve been able to collaborate with different teams like allied health and professional practice, and at Halton Healthcare I’ve had nothing but positive experiences.”