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Jan 14, 2020 1:44 AM -

Provincial govt to increase specialty nurse training opportunities

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The provincial government is more than doubling the number of specialty nurse training opportunities in the province by funding 1,000 seats each year at the British Columbia School of Technology (BCIT).

This increase will help meet growing demand for care throughout British Columbia.

Specialty nurses work in high-skill areas ranging from emergency settings to intensive care units for high-risk cardiac care patients, to delivering babies and providing newborn care, to working with complex patients with multiple health challenges.

"Specialty nurses help us when we need emergency care; they help deliver our babies and they care for us when we are seriously ill," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "Increasing the number of specialty nurse seats helps people get trained for some of the most important and in-demand jobs in B.C.

That is why we created more training opportunities for nurses - so they have the tools they need to be there for British Columbians when we need them most."BCIT's specialty nursing training program is one of Canada's most comprehensive, providing nurses advanced hands-on training for work in hospital and community settings.

"BCIT offers a balanced education of theory and hands-on experience for its nursing students to be job-ready. I am surrounded by a small cohort of classmates and passionate instructors who are supportive and empowering," said Christina Dixon, BCIT nursing student, school of health sciences.

"It feels like a community and team, making a strong parallel to the clinical setting. As an Indigenous nursing student, I am honoured and prepared to make a long-term difference, while creating a culturally safe and supportive environment for patients from all backgrounds." Starting in 2018-19, the Province added 611 training seats to the previous 389 seat baseline for a total of 1,000 seats. The Province is providing funding at that level for 2019-20 and 2020-21 and will continue to provide support going forward to help ensure B.C.'s health-care workforce is ready to meet patient needs.

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