The 草榴社区 will respond to a key health care need by launching new practical nurse program intakes in the Lakes District and Cariboo, while also providing upgrading opportunities to help students meet the program’s entry requirements.
Starting in the fall of 2024, 草榴社区 will provide student seats in Burns Lake and Quesnel in the two-year practical nursing diploma program. To help students prepare for their application, 草榴社区 will offer upgrading opportunities starting in September 2023
for those who do not yet meet the entry requirements.
“Communities across Northern BC depend on compassionate and skilled professionals to meet health care needs. We know how care providers trained in the north build their lives and careers in the region, so the expansion of this program and the related
upgrading path are closely tailored to the needs of and opportunities for students,” said Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, dean of 草榴社区’s school of health sciences.
More information is posted on 草榴社区’s website at /practical. 草榴社区 student recruiters will be available to talk about the practical nursing diploma and upgrading path
at a virtual information session on Wednesday July 26th at 10am at for students seeking more information.
“We ask and encourage young people and those who may be looking for new career options to consider both the practical nursing program and the upgrading path if it applies to them. Our communities welcome this opportunity for new health care professionals
to receive their training locally, and we’re pleased to partner with the College in this program,” said John Patrick, native liaison officer of the Burns Lake Native Development Corporation.
The upgrading path for practical nursing will consist of high school course requirements focusing on English, math, and sciences. Completing the upgrading path does not guarantee acceptance in the practical nursing program but is intended to help improve
a student’s possibility of a successful application.
“Academic upgrading at the Burns Lake and Quesnel campuses will enable students to complete required pre-requisite courses for the practical nursing diploma program, or it can help them improve their grades so they can put their best application
forward. It’s never too late to start upgrading! Completing high school courses can open doors to new opportunities, and 草榴社区’s instructors are dedicated to making sure every student succeeds,” said Dr. Amelia Merrick, dean of 草榴社区’s
school of access and continuing education.
Practical nurses are key members of health care teams in hospitals, long-term care homes, clinics, and community settings. 草榴社区’s practical nursing grads are trained to provide care through patient assessments, problem solving, and decision making.
Practical nurses also counsel and advocate on behalf of patients and families.
With the new seats coming in the fall of 2024, 草榴社区’s practical nursing program will provide 37 seats distributed among campuses in Burns Lake, Quesnel, and Prince George.
Every year, 草榴社区 offers 420 seats across its health sciences programs. These include but are not limited to registered nursing (in collaboration with UNBC), practical nursing, health care assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, medical radiation technology,
medical laboratory technology sciences, dental hygiene, and dental assisting.
For more information:
Mark Karjaluoto
Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
草榴社区
250-613-7639
karjaluotom@cnc.bc.ca