Province Adds Training Seats For Nurse Practitioners Throughout B.C.

The Province has added 65 nurse practitioner training seats to three post-secondary institutions, making training accessible in five regions throughout the province.

“When you or someone in your family needs care, you shouldn’t have to wait, travel far or worry about whether your needs can be met,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

“That’s why we’re expanding nurse practitioner training across B.C., so more people can get timely, personalized care right in their own communities. We’re making sure more families have trusted providers nearby and ready to help when and where they’re needed most.”

The government is adding 65 new seats to NP programs throughout B.C.: 30 seats at the University of British Columbia (UBC); 20 seats at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC); and 15 seats at the University of Victoria (UVic). It will provide $4.7 million in annual, ongoing funding for the 65 new seats.

The seat expansions have increased the number of people training to be nurse practitioners in B.C. to 165 per year.

In September, UBC moved its 30 new seats from the main Vancouver campus to a newly renovated space in Surrey.

This move means that a NP program is now accessible to students in the Fraser region, in addition to the Lower Mainland, northern B.C., Vancouver Island and the southern Interior.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.