Acadia University's Fall Convocation

Today, I had the pleasure of attending Acadia University's Fall Convocation, celebrating the hard work, dedication, and achievements of students as they reached an exciting milestone.

This year's convocation was especially meaningful as 41 students became the first nursing graduates from Acadia University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program!

In 2023, the Province invested $4 million to expand nursing education across Nova Scotia. The investment established a bachelor of science in nursing program at Acadia University to train future registered nurses (RNs), and added 180 practical nursing seats at six NSCC campuses to train future licensed practical nurses (LPNs). It has created new opportunities for students to train closer to home while helping strengthen Nova Scotia's healthcare workforce.

I was delighted to sit beside Dr. Karen Kennedy, Dean of the School of Nursing at Cape Breton University, and Mayor Jodi MacKay along with professors, students, staff and many others to celebrate this important milestone for both institutions.

Congratulations to all of today's graduates! Wishing you every success as you begin your next chapter.