As Ontario’s Destination College, Loyalist College’s intimate campus is located on over 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, and is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Our deep community roots and collaborative spirit ensure we work hand-in-hand with our local partners and industries to drive the future of innovation and workforce development in the Bay of Quinte region.  

Loyalist College’s School of Health and Human Studies offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN) and a Practical Nursing program in Belleville, Ontario. Updated in 2018, the renovated third floor of the Northumberland Wing in the Kente Building is where Loyalist students in the health, human services, social development and public safety programs collaborate on integrated programming, projects and applied research. This innovative experiential learning space houses interprofessional simulation centres, high-tech classroom environments, and state-of-the-art student spaces.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN)

Nurses compose the largest professional group in the Canadian healthcare system. Nurses help to sustain our collective physical, emotional and social well-being by providing and coordinating patient care and educating patients and the public. Discover the rewards of pursuing this challenging and meaningful career. Students in the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program will benefit from the opportunity to learn in Loyalist College’s state of-the-art Interprofessional Simulation Centre and will be instructed by expert, caring faculty members, instructors, simulation specialists and clinicians, without having to travel outside of the Bay of Quinte region to attain a degree. 

Practical Nursing

Practical nurses are integral members of a health care team, providing care to patients of all ages. They combine nursing skill, knowledge and judgment to provide a full range of nursing care within their scope of practice.

School of Health, Human and Justice Studies Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

The School of Health, Human and Justice Studies follows Loyalist policy ADMIN126 Including Indigenous Knowledge and Community Members in College Activities. Loyalist is committed to working collaboratively with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members to build and support lasting relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. After centuries of colonial practices that aimed to dispossess, assimilate, and oppress Indigenous Peoples and their ways of life, it is essential that the College helps to create and support a space for Indigenous knowledge in a welcoming, respectful, and culturally appropriate way.

Loyalist College

Strategic Plan, 2025

Three Strategic Directions

2. Loyalist College will deliver an outstanding student experience.

Establish the College’s Framework for graduate attributes to inform the development and delivery of programs that effectively prepare students for employability and life skills that will help them succeed in their career and personal lives. These include:

1. Citizenship and social responsibility
2. Indigenous understanding
3. Cross-cultural understanding
4. Entrepreneurship and Technology
5. Health and Wellness and 
6. Ecological literacy

From the college’s Campus News’ article, “Remember, Reflect, Renew”:

Thanks to the guidance and dedication of our Tsi Titewaya’taró:roks team, Loyalist College has made great strides toward decolonizing our institution – but we still have a long way to go,” acknowledges Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “During Truth and Reconciliation Week, we come together to remember the lives lost to the residential school system and renew our commitment to be a leader in advancing the Calls to Action from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.” 

With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.”

Call to Action # 24

We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Mandatory Course: Yes

HUMA1000 Becoming a Global Changemaker (BScN)

GNED1100 Becoming a Global Changemaker (Practical Nursing)

This Loyalist College graduate attributes course will help shape your perspectives, broaden your understanding of important issues affecting our societies today, and equip you with invaluable knowledge and skills that will inform your ability to influence your community in a meaningful and impactful way. By exploring topics such as cultural competency, Indigenous education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, health and wellness, and ecological literacy, you’ll be equipped with a powerful toolkit that extends far beyond the classroom.

INDG2003 Indigenous Health (BScN)

Guided by Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action on healthcare, the aim of this course is to share meaningful and culturally appropriate ways to work collaboratively and appropriately with Indigenous populations within healthcare. This course is an educational resource that is designed for healthcare learners. The goal is to provide them with strategies for applying this content in their educational study and future healthcare practices.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the foundational perspectives of wellness of Indigenous people in Canada and the implications for health outcomes.
2. Identify and analyse biases, racism and discrimination in healthcare in order to respectfully respond.
3. Integrate a deeper understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and being within healthcare.
4. Identify specifically Indigenous rights and services within healthcare.
5. Demonstrate culturally safe healthcare practices specific to Indigenous people

Course description: Degree course list:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Practical Nursing

School of Nursing Commitment to Call to Action # 24: 5 out of 5 = 100% 

1. Aboriginal health issues	Aboriginal health issues
Yes. In INDG2003 Indigenous Health.
2. The history and legacy of residential schools
Yes. In INDG2003 Indigenous Health.
3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Yes. In INDG2003 Indigenous Health. Addressed in Weeks 4 and 5 as per Loyalist College
4. Treaties and Aboriginal rights
Yes. In INDG2003 Indigenous Health. Addressed in Weeks 4 and 5 as per Loyalist College
5. Indigenous teachings and practice
Yes. In INDG2003 Indigenous Health.

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing’s “Statement” of apology for colonial harms resulting from nursing education

Dec.11, 2023: CASN apologizes to Indigenous Peoples of Canada for Colonial harms resulting from nursing education…CASN is committed to a process of self-reflection, learning, and transformation. We will take the following steps to address the harms:

1. Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety, and Humility: Promote education, resources, and practices that address anti-Indigenous racism, supporting decolonization, cultural humility, and cultural safety for nursing faculty, staff, and students. Promote institutional policies and processes that address systemic racism to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
2. Curriculum Revision: Promote a review of nursing education curricula to ensure a strengths-based focus and trauma-informed approach, the inclusion of content on the continued impact of colonialism and racism on Indigenous health, as well as Indigenous perspectives on health and well-being.
3. Community Engagement: Establish meaningful partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities to ensure their voices are heard in shaping nursing education policies and practices.
4. Recruitment and Retention: Promote strategies that create culturally safe and supportive learning environments including pre-admission supports, in-program supports, and services that are developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.
5. Ongoing Accountability: In collaboration with Indigenous partners, establish mechanisms to monitor progress and address concerns raised by partners, Indigenous nursing students, and faculty.

Land Acknowledgement: 

Located on the School of Health and Human Studies Home Page, Nursing Home Page and Loyalist College Home Page

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg, and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. We offer respect to Indigenous people from all nations who call this area home. We honour traditional knowledge keepers, past, present, and future.”

Learn More About Our Land Affirmation

NOTE: All content has been submitted to the respective faculty for validation to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The Loyalist College School of Health and Human Studies reviewed and approved the document. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Research Assistant:  Timothy Maton