A partnership in nursing education accredited nationally with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives that includes three northern B.C. post-secondary schools has been renewed for the next five years.
The Northern Collaborate Baccalaureate in Nursing Program, which involves the University of Northern B.C., College of New Caledonia and Coast Mountain College in Terrace, is producing graduates with the academic qualifications they need to work as nurses anywhere in Canada.
Students take their first two years of study at either CNC or Coast Mountain College, then complete the final two years of their Bachelor of Nursing degree final two years at the UNBC campus in the same city they began the program. Closely tied to Northern Health facilities, they earn their credentials as registered nurses without having to leave northern B.C.
“I would definitely recommend NCBNP, especially through one of the smaller campuses. It is very student focused,” said Chrystal Sande, an NCBNP graduate who completed her studies at CNC and UNBC campuses in Quesnel.
“The instructors genuinely care about the students and their success. Smaller class sizes provide the opportunity to have strong relationships with instructors and increased support. Attending the program in a smaller city, with a rural hospital provides students with countless opportunities to experience hands on learning in situations that students may not have the opportunity to experience in larger centres.”
Graduating nurses have the choice of branching into patient care, public health, technology, clinical systems or nursing management.
“Residents of northern B.C. continue to benefit from the strong collaboration with post-secondary institutions that enables the recruitment and retention of highly skilled nursing graduates who are passionate about providing care in the North,” said Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health president and chief executive officer. “The renewed accreditation and recognition of the quality education the NCBNP provides is well-deserved.”
