The Nursing Directorate
Nursing Strategies
BC's Nursing Strategy for 2006/07
Introduction
Since 2001, the government of BC has invested $120 million to educate, recruit and retain Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). This year’s BC Nursing Strategy provides education and support for front-line unit managers, an expanded undergraduate nursing program to support student nurses on work-terms, support to increase the number of Aboriginal nursing students and graduates in BC and ongoing integration of nurse practitioners into the health system.
Education
LPN Upgrade Fund
Individual LPNs will be supported to complete pharmacology and physical assessment modules enabling them to practice at their full scope. The Leadership course for LPNs will be also be accommodated through this process. For more information see: LPN Upgrade Fund. and LPN Leadership Program Fund
Operating Room (OR) Initiative for LPNs
Vancouver Coastal, Fraser and Interior Health Authorities (HAs) will be piloting a program for LPNs in the OR program to improve access to care.
Rural and Remote BC Post-Basic Education Phase 2
This funding will support phase 2 development and implementation of a provincial, practice-driven, rural-focused, post-basic nursing education program, including the use of technology based education for nurses in remote areas.
RN Regulation Implementation in Remote Communities
Competencies, curriculum and education sessions will be developed for certification of nurses in rural and remote areas.
Provincial Co-ordination of RN Regulation Implementation
A provincial coordinator will work with all HAs and the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) to implement Sections 8, 9 and 10 of the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation(2005).
Public Health and Community Nursing
Competencies, curriculum and education will continue to be developed related to immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases, TB control and sexual health for certification of public health and community nurses.
Provincial Normal Labor and Delivery Certification for Nurses
Competencies, curriculum and education sessions are being developed for certification of nurses in labor and delivery . The BC Reproductive Care Program will co-ordinate programs.
Rural & Remote Nursing Certification
Development of competencies, curriculum and education sessions are being developed for certification of nurses in rural and remote areas.
Undergraduate Nurses (UGNs) Education
HAs will employ third and fourth year nursing students in supernumerary positions. This program has operated in two HAs since 2001/02 and was successfully expanded to all HAs in 2005/06. This funding will sustain this valuable program for 2006/07. A three-year evaluation study identified that UGNs in this program are more likely to stay in the HA.
UGN Program for difficult to Fill Areas
This new program builds on the successful undergraduate nurse program and will educate student nurses in specialty areas such as emergency rooms and the OR.
Recruitment
Aboriginal Nursing
Projects will be selected by a Request for Proposal (RFP) process that focuses on recruitment and retention of aboriginal and non-aboriginal nurses in aboriginal communities. This strategy focuses on recruiting aboriginal youth into the nursing profession, supporting recruitment or retention projects for aboriginal and non-aboriginal nurses to practice in aboriginal communities. For details see Aboriginal Nursing Strategies.
Return to Nursing Fund
Individual grants will be provided to qualified under-employed and non-practising Canadian and internationally educated RNs, RPNs, and LPNs already living and working in Bc. These grants will allow then to complete refresher, qualifying and English courses in order to re-enter the nursing workforce. For more information see: Return to Nursing Fund.
Nurse Practitioner Expansion
HAs will be supported over the next two years to expand the implementation of the role of NPs and increase the number of NPs in areas of need identified by the HAs. This funding will only be provided for positions that are filled positions. For more information see: Nurse Practitioners.
Provincial Specialized Perinatal Services
A provincial initiative to address the nursing needs in specialized perinatal services. The plan will develop focused recruitment strategies to identify and retain specialized nursing staff to meet the current and future staffing needs of perinatal (maternity and neonatal) services within BC. These strategies will augment local HA initiatives.
Retention
Specialty Geriatric Workshops - HAs
Since 2002, this internationally recognized strategy has educated more than 2,000 nurses to care for acutely ill older adults. Clinical nurse specialists have developed and provided the program through workshops and web-based learning. Collaboration with Tele-Health enables the program to reach rural and remote areas.
Geriatric Emergency Nursing Initiative (GENI)
This education and support program is designed for emergency nurses to improve the care of acutely ill older adults in Emergency Departments (EDs) in BC. The project led by Fraser Health Authority was piloted in 2005/06 and will be expanded throughout the province in 2006/07.
Nursing Advisory Committee (NAC) Projects
NAC has developed a strategic plan consistent with the government's health care policy direction. In 2006/07, projects will focus on increasing the capacity of nurse educators, clinical placements, nurse leadership, and enhancing collaborative nursing practice.
Primary Health Care Nurses Network
Funding will continue to facilitate a provincial network for nurses working in primary health care with technology including telephone and video conferences along with web-base practice support.
OR Initiatives
Projects in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal HAs will increase nursing capacity in ORs by engaging team members in designing and implementing an enhanced clinical practice. Findings from these projects can lead to improved patient outcomes and nursing practice.
Nursing Leadership Initiative
Building on the success of the past two years, the Leadership Institute will be expanded to provide education and mentoring for front-line nurse leaders identified by the HAs.
Community Health Nursing Study
A national collaborative study with McMaster University to build capacity in community health nursing and provide evidence on scope of practice of community health nurses.
Health Authority Nursing Projects
This funding will support HAs to implement their high priority nursing education, retention and recruitment projects.
Special Project Funds
Funding will be allocated to support initiatives that meet the strategic objectives of the Nursing Directorate.
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