Upskilling Program at Trent University to Expand Registered Nurse Capacity in Primary Care
Professional online program includes emphasis on Indigenous, rural, and community health to strengthen nursing practice in primary care
Trent University is launching a new Primary Care Nursing Upskilling Program to build primary care expertise among registered nurses who are working in or preparing to transition into primary care, helping support greater access to care for Ontarians.
“This upskilling program reflects Trent’s long-standing commitment to community-focused health education and addressing system-level challenges,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “By creating accessible advanced primary care education for registered nurses, we are helping strengthen care teams and improve access to healthcare services for people and communities across Ontario.”
Trent-Led, Province-Wide Initiative
Trent University is one of four initiatives selected by the province to advance primary care nursing education and workforce capacity. Developed in collaboration between the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing and Queen's University, the program features a 12-week program of online modules to equip RNs with interprofessional care expertise for working in team-based primary care models.
The Trent program, starting at the end of March 2026, is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health as part of its Primary Care Action Plan. Funding received will also cover tuition costs for Ontario registered nurses enrolled in the program. Up to 350 nurses are expected to complete the program over the initial three years.
Building Nursing Capacity in Primary Care
Graduates of this program will gain primary care skills and experience to provide care for patients across the lifespan, including chronic disease management, cancer screening, maternal and child care, and immunizations.
“Registered nurses are well-positioned to provide care for patients and families within the primary care sector,” said Dr. Suzanne Braithwaite, assistant professor in the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing and past president, Canadian Family Practice Nurses Association. “Primary care registered nurses provide a wide range of services, including -child care, chronic disease management, health promotion, and episodic care. Strengthening primary care nursing expertise through targeted upskilling education supports nurses in working to their full capacity, eases pressure on interprofessional care teams and improves access to care for patients across the province.”
RN-Prescribing Pathway
Registered nurses who complete the 12-week online program will be eligible for priority admission to the RN-prescribing program through the University of Windsor. Nurses participating in the RN-prescribing course will further advance nursing capacity among the interprofessional primary care team.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Justin Beaudoin, Senior Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or justinbeaudoin@trentu.ca