Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate Ankur Patel recently returned from Helsinki, Finland, where he represented Canada at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress as the country’s appointed voice for student and early-career nurses.

Held every two years, the ICN Congress brings together nurses and nursing leaders from more than 140 countries to address global challenges and share solutions in health care. For Patel, who completed his BScN at UNBC’s Terrace campus earlier this year, it was both a professional milestone and a personal turning point.

“Being part of such a diverse and passionate global community gave me a sense of pride and responsibility,” said Patel. “It reminded me that we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves; a shared commitment to advocacy, care and leadership across borders.”

Patel presented two interventions at the Congress, focusing on planetary health and gainful student employment. Both topics reflect not only his experience as a student nurse in northern B.C., but also the voices of students he has engaged with across Canada.

“Planetary health is not an abstract issue,” he said. “In B.C., we’re already seeing the impacts, from climate-related respiratory illness to rising anxiety and displacement. Nurses need to be at the forefront, monitoring risks, educating communities and shaping policy that protects those most affected.”

The second intervention explored how paid student nurse employment opportunities can reduce burnout, improve retention and strengthen the future workforce. Patel noted that the intervention was informed by national conversations with student nurses, who have shared how these opportunities boost clinical confidence and help them stay connected to the profession.

Patel’s commitment to planetary health and student advocacy has been a consistent theme in his leadership journey. Earlier this year, he co-authored a nationally approved Planetary Health Resolution calling for greater inclusion of environmental health in nursing education. His recent presentation in Helsinki brought those same values to a global audience.

This international advocacy work builds on his leadership roles with the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association and the Canadian Nurses Association, where he advocated for nursing students at the federal level. His passion for equitable, sustainable health care has made him a respected voice in both national and international nursing circles.

Patel credited UNBC and its emphasis on environmental awareness and community care for shaping his outlook.

“UNBC helped me understand human health in relation to the environment,” he said. “It gave me the tools to connect local realities to global challenges.”

Looking ahead, he hopes more nursing students, especially those in rural and northern communities, will see themselves as leaders.

“Your voice matters, and it’s needed,” he said. “Right now, people are listening. Change doesn’t happen on its own. It happens when we speak up.”