New Nurse Practitioner Program to Start this Fall

August 4, 2005 for immediate release
As UNBC adds a master’s degree program in Family Nurse Practitioner and expands seats in its undergraduate Nursing program, information sessions are being planned at hospitals and health clinics around the region.
The Family Nurse Practitioner master’s program is a practice oriented, theory-based degree that will prepare graduates to be independent practitioners, leaders, role models and educators in primary health care. Coursework will be completed over two years (full-time) or four years (part-time). Upon graduation, these advanced practice nurses will care for people of all age groups from a general family practice perspective. They will be involved in diagnosing, prescribing, ordering diagnostic tests, and managing diseases, disorders and conditions.
The bachelor’s degree program in Nursing has also been expanded recently, and is now being offered in Terrace, Quesnel, and Prince George in collaboration with Northwest Community College, the College of New Caledonia, and Northern Health. Since 2000, the program has more than doubled in size and currently accepts 140 students per year.
Students interested in beginning either program this fall should contact the University at 960-6306.
The following times are being set aside for meetings with the local media:
Terrace, Monday, August 8, 12:30pm, Mills Memorial Hospital
Kitimat, Monday, August 8, 4:30pm, Kitimat General Hospital
Hazelton, Tuesday, August 9, 2:00pm, Wrinch Memorial Hospital
Smithers, Tuesday, August 9, 4:30pm, Bulkley Valley District Hospital
Burns Lake, Wednesday, August 10, 4:30pm, Burns Lake Hospital
Fraser Lake, Thursday, August 11, 10:30am, Fraser Lake Community Health Centre
Fort St. James, Thursday, August 11, 2:00pm, Stuart Lake Hospital
Vanderhoof, Thursday, August 11, 4:30pm, St. John Hospital