Supporting Nurses, Strengthening Care

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) faced a major challenge. More than half of the nursing positions in the Emergency Department were empty, and there weren’t enough experienced nurses to fill the gap.

To make sure patients still received safe, high-quality care, a new program was launched, made possible in part by donor support.

The Emergency Department Nurse Clinical Mentor Program pairs new nurses with experienced ones who guide, coach, and support them on the job. This hands-on training helps new nurses build confidence and learn quickly. It also gives senior nurses more time to lead, teach, and focus on patient care.

Thanks to community support, including a generous gift from RBC Foundation, the program is already making a big impact:

• Nurse vacancy rates have dropped from over 50% to under 5%
• Nurse retention has risen to 85%
• Patient care and staff experience have both improved

This is what happens when donors invest in people. You’re helping nurses grow, stay, and succeed – and helping build a stronger, more resilient hospital for our community.

Highlights drawn from Halton Healthcare’s 2024–25 report.