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BURNABY – The Province announced today that it will provide $1.4 million in one-time funding to kickstart the first three-year accelerated nursing degree program in the province at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
“Nurses play a critical role in our health system. An accelerated three-year nursing degree is an innovative approach to get nurses into the workforce sooner,” said Health Minister George Abbott. “One of the things we heard in the Conversation on Health and committed to in the throne speech was a three-year bachelor of science in nursing program.”
Last month’s throne speech recognized the importance of health professionals in providing quality health care and committed to substantially expand access to qualified health professionals. The throne speech included a commitment by the Province to establish a three-year bachelor of science in nursing program to permit nurses to gain their degree a year sooner with significant on-the-job training.
In addition to this year’s one-time funding – $1 million from the Ministry of Health and $395,000 from the Ministry of Advanced Education – BCIT will receive ongoing capital and operational funds from the Ministry of Advanced Education. The Ministry of Health finalized its plans to provide BCIT with $1 million to support the three-year nursing program during discussions with the Nurses Bargaining Association to resolve the Bill 29 issue.
“BCIT has an excellent bachelor of science nursing program, and this new degree option will build on its many strengths, while allowing students to complete their degree sooner with more hands-on training,” said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell. “This accelerated degree program will graduate nurses who are well-qualified to meet the complex health needs of British Columbians and demonstrates our commitment to providing a variety of post-secondary options for B.C. students.”
BCIT will accelerate its bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree to enable students to complete the program in three years, with the first intake of students in August 2008. Courses will have the same quality expectations for outcomes and competencies by using the full calendar year.
“Creating a three-year nursing degree program is an exciting move for BCIT and we are proud that this will be the first of its kind in British Columbia,” said BCIT dean of health sciences Kathy Kinloch. “Through the innovative use of technology, the talent of our faculty, and partnerships with health authorities, our program will provide students who are interested in pursuing an opportunity to be in the workforce faster, meeting the needs and expectations of all the communities we serve."
Other B.C. post-secondary institutions are considering offering accelerated nursing degree programs, and similar programs are expected to be created in other regions.
“We are pleased to be moving ahead with the introduction of the three-year nursing program,” said BC Nurses’ Union president Debra McPherson. “The three-year nursing degree program is a good step towards reducing the nursing shortages in this province.”
Since 2001, government has invested $174 million – including $28 million in 2007 – to help educate, retain and recruit the best qualified nurses. B.C. has added over 3,300 nursing education spaces throughout British Columbia in this time period – an increase of 82 per cent.
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Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 952-1889 250 920-8500 (cell) |
Media Relations Manager BCIT 604 432-8773 604 836-6700 Cell |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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