The next generation of nursing professionals is now studying in improved learning environments thanks to investments made in three different locations at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).

UNBC has completed $10.25 million in renovations and equipment upgrades at its School of Nursing sites in Prince George and Fort St. John thanks to funding from the Health Professions Expansion program. The facility updates were completed between 2022 and 2024.

“With these enhancements, we’re equipping students with state-of-the-art resources and spaces that reflect modern nursing practice,” said Dr. Catharine Schiller, Chair of UNBC’s School of Nursing. “This ensures that they are not only ready to meet today’s healthcare challenges but are also well-positioned to meet the future needs of patients in the north.”

“These important renovations at UNBC’s School of Nursing are helping expand both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, which further serve to benefit our province,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “These expansions will create more opportunities for students to pursue careers in healthcare, building a stronger and healthier future for everyone in B.C.”

The renovations helped introduce the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP) in Fort St. John and enabled the expansion of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) master’s degree program and the NBNP to Prince George. The expansions are part of B.C.’s Health Human Resources Strategy and the StrongerBC Economic Plan, respectively, with a focus on increasing the number of nurses, and other healthcare workers, in the province.

“Our government is taking action to hire more nursing professionals in B.C., including northern and rural communities where there is an acute need for healthcare workers. This includes a commitment to modern training facilities that provide continuous learning opportunities,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “These renovations in Prince George and Fort St. John will help support and inspire nursing students to learn and stay in northern communities, leading to enhanced care for people across B.C.’s north.”

At UNBC’s Peace River-Liard campus, located at the Northern Lights College (NLC) campus in Fort St. John, $3.60 million was invested for the NBNP program launch in September 2021. This funding was used to create a nursing lab, classroom, offices, and a student lounge, and to purchase a specialized mannequin for enhanced clinical simulation-based learning in the UNBC space ($2.30 million) and required renovations to NLC space ($1.30 million). Supporting up to 32 students across five program semesters, the NBNP is making nursing education more accessible for people living in northeast B.C.

The Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC) in Prince George was the site of an NBNP expansion in September 2023. An investment of $2.49 million supported renovations on the WIDC’s third floor, creating a nursing lab, classroom, student lounge, and offices. The addition of advanced AV and video-conferencing equipment is enabling vital cross-campus collaborative learning experiences for the 48 students enrolled in this site of the program.

UNBC’s Prince George campus also underwent $4.15 million in renovations to support the expansion of the FNP program. The upgrades include a combined lab/classroom space, two new simulation spaces with observation rooms, and advanced video-conferencing capabilities to facilitate teaching across multiple campuses. New equipment such as teaching and simulation mannequins and six hospital beds have enhanced practical training opportunities. This expansion doubled the program’s capacity, increasing the number of seats from 20 to 40. The expanded program had its first intake in September 2024.  

"These significant upgrades reflect UNBC’s commitment to providing high-quality nursing education that empowers northern B.C. communities in the delivery of health services,” said UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne. “This investment in our nursing programs and facilities ensures that graduates are ready and well-equipped to make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents across the region."

The Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program is a two-year program available in Fort St. John and Prince George that builds on an individual’s previous undergraduate education, offering students the opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in a shorter timeframe. The NBNP prepares graduates to deliver high-quality health care to northern and rural communities.

The Family Nurse Practitioner master’s degree program is primarily online and is a three-year full-time program, designed to support students to continue their RN practice while completing the program. It includes 752 hours of clinical practicum and several weeks of in-person skills development at UNBC’s Prince George campus, equipping graduates to deliver advanced nursing care throughout northern B.C.