The Nursing Directorate
Nursing Strategies
BC's Nursing Strategy for 2008/09
Introduction
Since 2001, the government of BC has invested $174 million to educate, recruit and retain Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). On May 14, 2008, an additional $15 million was awarded for 2008/09, for a total of $189 millions since 2001. This year’s BC Nursing Strategy provides education and support for front-line unit managers, an undergraduate nursing program to support student nurses on work-terms, ongoing integration of nurse practitioners into the health system, and support to address recruitment and retention.
Education
Undergraduate Nurses (UGNs) Education
Health Authorities (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 2007/08. A three-year evaluation study identified that UGNs in this program are more likely to stay in the HA.
Provincial Post-Basic Rural Acute Care Nursing Speciality
This funding supports implementation of a provincial, practice-driven, rural-focused, post-basic nursing education speciality certificate program, including the use of technology based education for nurses in remote areas. This is the second year of a three-year pilot at the University of Northern British Columbia.
Recruitment
Return to Nursing Initiative
Individual grants are provided to qualified under-employed and non-practising Canadian and internationally educated RNs, RPNs, and LPNs already living and working in BC. These grants allow them to complete refresher, qualifying and English courses in order to re-enter the nursing workforce. For more information see: Return to Nursing Initiative.
Nurse Practitioner Integration
Health Authorities are continuing to support integration of nurse practitioners as an important part of health care teams in British Columbia.
Retention
Nursing Leadership Initiative
The BC Nursing Leadership Institute at the University of British Columbia provides education and mentoring for front-line nurse leaders identified by the health authorities. This program was developed using a university-based curriculum to prepare Registered Nurses for unit based, leadership or management positions.
Front-Line Leadership
This funding is part of the Ministry’s commitment to increase front-line nursing leadership and support nurses’ education in leadership in each health authority.
|
