UNBC Northeast Campus Graduates poised to make community impact
Graduates from UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program were celebrated at the Northeast Campus graduation celebration in Fort St. John. The event marked the culmination of two years of intensive training to support health care in northern communities.
Fort St. John, B.C.– UNBC's Northeast campus graduation celebration brought together graduates, families and community members to celebrate the achievements of students committed to making a difference in the North.
The Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP), offered in Fort St. John, was front and centre at this year’s ceremony as the latest cohort of students crossed the stage, ready to contribute to the health and wellbeing of northern communities. Among the graduates was Blessing Chioma Nwanekezie, whose journey into nursing reflects both the challenges and rewards of completing a rigorous and community-focused program.
Nwanekezie, originally from Nigeria, moved to Canada 12 years ago and had lived in Dawson Creek for the past four. After facing setbacks in her initial attempts to enter nursing school due to her international student status, she focused on obtaining permanent residency. That decision opened doors to continue her education.
"I began applying to nursing schools in different provinces in 2018, but kept getting rejected because of my international status," says Nwanekezie "After getting married and moving to Dawson Creek, I decided to try again, and that’s when I learned about the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program at UNBC."
Drawn to the program's emphasis on rural and northern healthcare, small class sizes and close-knit learning environment, she enrolled while continuing to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Dawson Creek Hospital. She commuted daily to Fort St. John for classes, balancing her job and education while remaining close to home. Despite the demanding schedule, she remained focused on her long-term goal of advancing her career and supporting her community.
"The support from the instructors made all the difference," she says. "They were always accessible, whether through office hours, email or casual hallway conversations. Their commitment to our success was clear."
Nwanekezie (pictured right) also found strength in her classmates, describing the cohort as a source of encouragement and connection during long study hours and intense clinical placements. "We leaned on each other and celebrated every milestone together," she said.
During the convocation ceremony, Nwanekezie reflected on how the NBNP program deepened her clinical knowledge and strengthened her critical thinking skills. Following graduation, she plans to make a meaningful impact in the region by working as a Registered Nurse on the Medical-Surgical floor at Dawson Creek Hospital, with aspirations of transitioning into emergency room nursing.
"This program has prepared me not only to provide excellent care but to grow into a leadership role in health care," she says. "It gave me the tools and the confidence to keep pushing forward."
The Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program is a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the nursing shortage in the northeast Peace region by training healthcare professionals in the communities they serve. It allows students with prior post-secondary education to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing over two years while remaining rooted in the North.
"I’m profoundly grateful for the opportunity to complete my degree here," says Nwanekezie "It means everything to be able to grow as a nurse while staying rooted in the community I care about."