Unionized nurses across British Columbia have begun targeted job action after contract talks with the provincial government failed to produce a new agreement.

The BC Nurses' Union says nurses are no longer performing non-nursing duties and are refusing non-essential overtime, allowing them to focus on direct patient care.

The job action follows the expiry of a 72-hour strike notice issued earlier this week.

The union says the measures are the first phase of a broader escalation plan and could expand if the province does not return to the bargaining table with what it calls a meaningful offer.

Nurses rejected a tentative agreement earlier this year, saying it failed to address concerns over wages, staff retention, and workplace safety.

More than 98 percent of participating members voted in favour of job action during the union's strike vote.

The BC Nurses' Union says it remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement while minimizing disruptions to patient care.