The ongoing commitment to expand northern educational opportunities in the health professions is leading UNBC towards implementing a new Family Nurse Practitioner Masters of Nursing program.

Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses (RNs) with advanced education and clinical decision making skills. The program will be a master of science degree, and students entering the program will have a bachelor’s degree and two years experience in nursing to be eligible. Upon graduation, Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) will work in multidisciplinary primary health care services providing a broad range of professional services including diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness, prescribing medication, referring to other health care professionals, and providing specialized care across the age range in families. Some of the courses in the two-year NP program will be offered online while practical skills will be learned in clinical placements with experienced advanced practice nurses and northern physicians because there are no NPs currently practicing in BC.

“While Family Nurse Practitioners have some activities in common with physicians, they are not substitute doctors,” says Ian Blue, Chair of the UNBC Nursing program. “We expect that FNPs will play a vital role in increasing access to primary health care throughout the region and in complementing the work of existing health professionals, including physicians. To ensure this occurs we have been working closely with the Northern Health Authority in the design of the program and in identification of future FNP positions in northern BC.”

Nurse Practitioners are regulated through the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia (RNABC) and the BC Government.

Prior to the start of the program, approval must be obtained from the University Senate, the UNBC Board of Governors, the RNABC, and the Ministry of Advanced Education. Pending approval, it’s expected that the first 15 students will begin their studies at UNBC this fall. Funding for the new program has been earmarked by the Government of BC.

Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622

Ian Blue, Chair of Nursing, UNBC – 250.960.6309