This year marks a major milestone for the Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing at George Brown College (GBC): 50 years of training healthcare professionals who’ve gone on to shape care delivery in pc28and beyond.
Since 1975, when GBC’s first nursing class graduated, the college has led the way in preparing students to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare sector. What started with the merging of five local hospital nursing schools has grown into a thriving centre of health education, housed in the state-of-the-art Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences on Toronto’s waterfront.
Each year, over 1,800 students begin their healthcare careers at the Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing, pursuing certificates, diplomas, and degrees in collaboration with academic, community and clinical partners. The school doesn’t just offer credentials — it prepares students to thrive in fast-paced, in-demand roles from day one.
Inside GBC’s 23,000-square-foot Simulation Centre: a game changer for real-world prep
Students learn in the Simulation Centre using high-fidelity simulators.
ContributedAt the heart of the program is GBC’s Simulation Centre — the first college, nursing school and centre in Canada to be accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) for its excellence in teaching and education.
In this 23,000-square-foot facility, students learn by doing, tackling complex healthcare scenarios in immersive spaces that mimic hospital rooms, long-term care settings, and even a fully functional apartment.
“Simulation-based education improves patient safety and clinical outcomes” said Dr. Wendy Ellis, the incoming Dean, Health Sciences. “This transformative approach to healthcare education offers students a safe, controlled environment to practice and develop core competencies, and ultimately enter clinical practice environments fully prepared.”
Here, students are encouraged to test their instincts and build confidence. They practice procedures and clinical decision-making on high-fidelity simulators that respond verbally and physically as a real patient would. Through the Simulated Participant Program, they interact with trained actors in scenarios that mirror real-life situations. Virtual simulations and other technologies also challenge students to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and adapt in real time.
“The unique curriculum and simulations at George Brown didn’t just teach me nursing skills,” said Harsh Deep, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing alumnus now working as a Registered Nurse at Humber River Hospital’s ICU (intensive care unit). “The Simulation Centre transformed my understanding of patient care by providing a safe space for experiential learning and meaningful feedback that continues to guide my ICU practice today.”
How GBC offers hundreds of exciting placement opportunities with industry leaders
Alumni Harsh Deep and Kylie Foldhazi at George Brown College’s Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences.
ContributedGBC’s commitment to work-integrated learning is woven into every program. Last semester alone, the college placed over 1,300 nursing and personal support worker students across Greater pc28Area (GTA) hospitals, long-term care homes, and community clinics — thanks to partnerships with major healthcare institutions like the University Health Network, Baycrest Health Sciences, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
This clinical exposure lets students apply their knowledge and skills alongside experienced healthcare teams, gaining firsthand experience in interprofessional collaboration that’s central to GBC’s approach.
“The program’s immersive approach to clinical education prepared me for the complexities of real-world nursing,” said Kylie Foldhazi, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing alumna now working as a Registered Nurse in pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. “Learning to connect with patients, even in brief moments, has become the foundation of my practice at SickKids.”
Build your professional network at GBC — connect with future colleagues and mentors
Students learn through the use of a Body Interact Virtual Patient Table to foster critical thinking and decision-making skills.
ContributedAt George Brown, nursing education goes beyond building clinical expertise — it’s about building meaningful relationships that last. From classmates who become colleagues to professors who remain mentors, the connections made here can have a lasting effect for years to come.
“What stands out in my educational experience wasn’t just the clinical skills or medical knowledge — it was the people,” Deep said. “The professors who guided us and the friendships formed during those transformative years continue to influence my practice every day.”
George Brown’s interprofessional care approach — where students train alongside their peers in other health programs — creates an environment that fosters teamwork. That collaborative spirit carries into the workplace.
“At SickKids, I discovered many fellow alumni working alongside me — connections that began in our program and now strengthen our professional community,” Foldhazi said. “The network I built at George Brown continues to support my career today.”
“Even as our careers have taken us down diverse paths, across different locations and healthcare settings, the connections I made with my nursing cohort remain strong,” Deep added.
Celebrating the past and shaping the future
The George Brown College Waterfront Campus and city skyline.
Salina KassamAs George Brown College celebrates 50 years of leadership in nursing education, it continues to build on that legacy to meet the demands for safe quality health care delivery.
“We’re excited to keep growing and supporting our graduates as they pursue their academic, career, and professional goals,” Ellis said. “Our programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of the health care workforce, particularly across the GTA and Ontario.”
As demand grows for compassionate, collaborative care providers, GBC continues to prepare graduates who are ready to make a difference — in hospitals, in homes, and in communities everywhere.
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