Beal University and Horizon celebrate the grand opening of new nursing program at the Sackville Memorial Hospital

(TANTRAMAR) – Today, partners and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the official launch of Beal University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, located in Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital.

“We are thrilled to officially open our Sackville campus,” said Holly McKnight, President of Beal University Canada. “The past year has been a remarkable journey, and we are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from the province, the community, and our dedicated faculty and staff. Beal University Canada’s goal is simple: to educate future nurses who can provide the best health care for their residents. This Grand Opening marks a significant milestone for Beal University Canada as we continue to address the critical nursing shortage in New Brunswick.”

Beal University Canada, a private university, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that can be completed in just 30 months. The program begins with 12 months of online study, followed by on-site clinical learning in Sackville, where students complete the remainder of their program through hybrid nursing courses through a combination of in-person and virtual instruction. Clinical placements are conducted at Horizon and/or Vitalité facilities.

“We are delighted to join our health partners to officially launch Beal University Canada’s nursing program at Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital,” said Margaret Melanson, Horizon President and CEO. “This is a crucial step in addressing the increasing demand for skilled nurses within our communities. By cultivating the next generation of health care professionals, we are working towards a stronger, healthier future for New Brunswickers.”

“We’re pleased to see the Beal campus open here in the Tantramar region as it will provide more opportunities for New Brunswickers to train for a career in nursing at a time when we need the critical nurses that underpin our health care system,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “We hope to build on this with more initiatives to help ensure we have well-staffed health and long-term care systems. With 10 community care clinics planned to begin operations in 2025, including one in this region, we are eager to see a boost in the number of health care professionals who will be trained in New Brunswick.”

This new program will offer 6 starts per year and the first group of students trained at the new Sackville campus are expected to graduate in August of 2025.

About Beal University Canada – Beal University Canada is an extension of its sister university in Bangor, Maine – Beal University, a renowned institution with a rich history of academic excellence dating back to 1891. Beal University has a proven track record of success in nursing education. Beal University prepares students for careers in fields such as nursing, health care and biomedical sciences, addiction counselling, business, and more. Beal has graduated over 10,000 students since it was founded.

About Horizon Health Network – Horizon has a plan to improve health care in New Brunswick. Our plan is focused on retention and recruitment efforts and improving the overall patient experience by addressing patient flow and access to services. Further details about Horizon’s four priority areas are available at HorizonNB.ca.

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