The University of Northern British Columbia’s School of Nursing has been awarded $118,500 for the Rural Nursing certificate program, which enhances and broadens the skills of nurses to better cope with the challenges of providing care in rural and remote areas. The funding will expand the program to include additional courses in First Call and Remote Nursing Practice.

The funding, provided by BC’s Ministry of Health Services, is the result of a call for proposals from nursing programs around the province to demonstrate how they might develop curriculum for three key areas of certified nursing practice: Registered Nurse First Call, Remote Nursing Practice, and Reproductive Health Nursing. Out of dozens of applications from institutions around the province, UNBC was selected for funding to develop courses leading to certification in RN First Call and Remote Nursing Practice.

UNBC’s School of Nursing Chair, Dr. Vince Salyers, says the funding will be used to develop the certified practice curriculum for the two certified practices and that this will further enhance the program. “This program, which is a partnership between Northern Health, the province and the university, is vital to Northern BC,” says Dr. Vince Salyers. “In rural areas, nurses have fewer resources to summon and there are fewer physicians. This makes it necessary to give them extra generalist expertise and knowledge. The program provides nurses with additional generalist expertise and knowledge and addresses that need.”

The Rural Nursing Certificate Program provides the opportunity for Registered Nurses to pursue a concentrated program of courses in Rural Nursing. The Certificate provides students with some of the essential knowledge and clinical skills needed to provide nursing care in rural communities and hospitals. it started in the Fall of 2007 and had 49 students students enrolled this past year.

“It’s a unique and effective program,” says Nursing professor Lela Zimmer, Undergraduate Program Coordinator for the Prince George campus and one of the program instructors. “Not only do students earn thirty university credits by completing the certificate, but the program can be counted towards a bachelor’s degree if they don’t already have one. It’s a great way of equipping nurses for practice in rural and remote areas.”

The Rural Nursing Certificate Program is supported by health authorities across British Columbia.  It is based upon the principles of primary health care, and oriented to the needs of nurses in rural and remote communities. All courses are offered by distance education though some courses require on-site workshops and/or practicum experience.