Health Workforce Studies Microprogram
Lead the Future of Canada’s Health Workforce!
The Microprogram in Health Workforce Studies empowers current and future leaders to rethink how care teams are planned, managed, and supported. Designed for working professionals, this fully online, asynchronous program offers flexible, self-paced learning grounded in real-world challenges. Participants join a like-minded community of peers, gaining not just knowledge, but a shared sense of purpose to work smarter, lead better, and build a more resilient healthcare system.
Registration begins June, 2025 | Next course starts January, 2026
CHWN has partnered with the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Social Sciences and the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) to offer an online, bilingual microprogram in Health Workforce Studies. The microprogram includes two courses, offered asynchronously in English and French:
- FSS 5151 - Introduction to Health Occupations in Canada based on the book with the same name
- FSS 5152 - Introduction to Health Workforce Studies: Planning, Policy & Management
Who can apply to the program or take individual courses?
- Ontario graduate students can take the course through the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Social Science with approval from their home program.
- Non-Ontario graduate students and members of the broader community can take the course as special students of the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Social Sciences.
The collaboration between CHWN and CCHL offers health leaders in Canada a new avenue to further their expertise in workforce planning, policy and management: a bilingual Health Leadership Specialty in Health Workforce Studies.
Sherri-Ann Camilli (August, 2023)
Registered Nurse, Clinical Advisor & PhD Candidate (Interdisciplinary Rural and Northern Health) - Laurentian University; Administrative Manager - NOSM University
"With over two decades of experience in Northern Ontario, I understand the need to address critical health workforce issues such as shortages, prolonged wait times, and geographical distribution disparities, particularly in rural areas. This microprogram has equipped me invaluable insights into strategic planning, policy development, and data-driven decision making within the context of our ever-evolving healthcare system. Along with providing the necessary tools to critically analyze multifaced factors influencing Canada’s health workforce, this knowledge empowers me to contribute effectively to the ongoing transformation of our healthcare landscape."
Jen Calver (August, 2023)
Registered Practical Nurse, PhD Student (Doctor of Health Sciences in Community, Public and Population Health) - Ontario Tech University; Research Coordinator - Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN)
"This microprogram provided a critically important learning opportunity to enhance my understanding of the health workforce and key challenges in health workforce planning, policy and management. I look forward to using the tools and resources from the program to improve the relevance and impact of my research, professional practice, nursing leadership, and teaching engagements to promote safer working conditions for care teams, improve population health outcomes, and patient/client/resident experiences."
Diane-Larissa Sodea-Bouko (April, 2023)
Support Worker - School of Nursing; Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences - University of Ottawa
"I took this microprogram to prepare myself for my future role as a health service manager. It gave me a detailed understanding of the different healthcare professions and the requirements that go with them. It also gave me a general idea of health workforce planning."
Mia McDonald (April, 2023)
Nurse Practitioner; Master of Science in Nursing - University of Ottawa
"I took the microprogram to learn more about the health system and to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing healthcare workers. Having worked in various roles in health care in the last 20 years I've experienced the many of the challenges facing the healthcare system firsthand. Taking the microprogram has given me a broader perspective and knowledge about health workforce planning considerations, and I'm able to apply what I've learned in my everyday work."
Infographic: Retain nurses and advance the role of the primary care registered nurse (RN) in Canada
Talia Bitonti (April, 2023)
Registered Nurse - Ottawa Hospital Intensive Care Unit; Master of Science in Nursing - University of Ottawa
"As a healthcare worker, the Health Workforce Studies Microprogram provided me with additional knowledge and awareness of the interprofessional team which within I work; contributing to the collective strengthening of the team, and providing me with additional competence in applying education to practice and improving patient provided care."