B.C. boosts nurse practitioner training seats at 3 schools
The B.C. government is expanding nurse practitioner training, adding 65 new seats at three universities to strengthen healthcare access across the province.
Expansion announced in Surrey
Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Jessie Sunner revealed the training expansion at UBC’s Surrey campus on Sept. 11. New program seats will be offered at the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, and University of Northern British Columbia.
“Our priority is ensuring families receive care when and where they need it,” Sunner said. “By expanding nurse practitioner training, we’re helping communities access trusted providers close to home.”
Where the new seats are going
The 65 seats include 30 at UBC, 20 at UNBC, and 15 at UVic. To support the expansion, the province is investing $4.7 million annually. Renovation funding was also provided—$4.1 million to UNBC and $17.5 million to UBC.
Nurse practitioners undergo advanced clinical training after years as registered nurses, allowing them to serve as the “most responsible provider” in settings ranging from primary care to emergency medicine.
UBC’s Surrey program grows
Elizabeth Saewyc, director of UBC’s School of Nursing, said the university now runs Canada’s largest nurse practitioner program, admitting 60 students annually. The recent expansion also shifts 30 new seats from Vancouver to UBC’s renovated Surrey facility, making education more accessible for Fraser region students.
Benefits for students and communities
For second-year student Alexandra Jude, who lives in Crescent Beach, the change has transformed her daily routine. “Instead of a two-hour commute, it’s now only 20 minutes,” Jude said. She added that the Surrey location allows her to stay close to her community while balancing family life and studies.
The number of nurse practitioner trainees in B.C. now stands at 165 per year following the expansion.
Growth across the province
In addition to UBC, UNBC, and UVic, Thompson Rivers University recently launched its own 15-seat NP program in May 2023. UVic also created a new stream for nurses who already hold a master of nursing degree.
With these initiatives, the province continues addressing primary care shortages while creating opportunities for students to train and remain in their own communities.
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