CANADORE COLLEGE
Canadore College's first graduating class of nurses returns to where it all began

The nursing labs at Canadore College have come a long way since the program's early days. When the first class of nursing students graduated in 1975, their training relied on practicing health care skills directly on one another.

Photo credit: Kaden King-Gasparetto/Canadore College

Fifty years later, nine members of that inaugural class returned to campus for a tour of the College's modern, state-of-the-art nursing labs. Today's students train using advanced interactive mannequins designed to replicate real-life medical symptoms and scenarios, providing a safe and highly realistic learning environment.

"It's just amazing -- mind blowing," said Carol Owens, spokesperson for the Canadore College RN Nursing Class of 1975. "We used to practice on each other."

"Canadore College's commitment to educating nurses who provide exceptional healthcare began with the Class of 1975 and continues to this day," said George Burton, President and CEO. "Throughout our history, we have embraced the use of leading-edge technology in our teaching, and the new state-of-the-art nursing laboratories stand as a testament to this group's enduring legacy. We are proud that they hold such meaningful memories of their time at Canadore, and it was an honour to welcome them back to campus."

The tour marked the beginning of a special 50th anniversary reunion for Canadore's first nursing graduates. Later this fall, the group will gather in Niagara-on-the-Lake to reconnect, share life updates, and reflect on their time at the College. Of the 31 nurses who graduated in 1975, more than half have already confirmed their plans to attend the celebration.

In contrast to today's high demand for nurses in all healthcare sectors, getting a job in the mid-1970s was challenging. Many members of Canadore's first graduating class were forced to leave North Bay to begin their careers. They went on to practice across Ontario and abroad, including as far as Switzerland, gaining valuable experience in a wide range of specialties.

"We could probably staff a whole hospital," one alum noted with pride.

Today, nearly all of the class has retired, but they continue to reflect fondly on their time at Canadore and the foundation it provided for their careers.