National Nursing Week is May 6-12th
National Nursing Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of B.C.’s nurses and recognize their importance in keeping individuals and communities healthy across the province.
This year’s theme is “Changing Lives. Shaping Tomorrow.” The “Changing Lives” element of the theme acknowledges the crucial role nurses play in the lives of their patients by providing health care services and advocating on behalf of their patients to ensure they receive the best possible care.
Looking ahead, the “Shaping Tomorrow” element of the theme emphasizes the direct influence nurses have on innovating health care treatments, technologies and practices, as well as educating and mentoring the next generation of health care professionals. Learn more about National Nursing Week by visiting the Canadian Nurses Association website.
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook: 2023 Edition predicts that the health care and social assistance industry will generate the most job openings over the next decade. The report identified several care occupations as high opportunity occupations, meaning they are expected to experience the highest demand and offer the best pay. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are high opportunity occupations, with 24,770 job openings forecasted between 2023-2033, the most of any care occupation.
Learn more about a career in nursing
Are you interested in pursuing a fulfilling career that directly impacts the health and well-being of others? You may be inclined towards a social (helper) occupational interest. Take a Career Discovery Quiz to find out if your skills, work preferences and interests align with nursing or another career in the health care and social assistance industry.
View the registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses career profile to learn what a career in nursing looks like, from a career overview to average earnings and everything in between. Watch a Career Trek video to meet Lindsay and follow along as she gives an inside glance into a day in her life as a registered nurse at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.
How to become a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse
The first step to becoming a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse is completing a bachelor’s degree program recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). A list of programs can be found on EducationPlannerBC. You can also use the Find Your Path tool to explore careers in nursing and map out possible education pathways.
Once you complete your bachelor's degree program in nursing, you will need to pass an examination and meet the registration requirements defined by the BCCNM. See the BCCNM website to learn more about becoming certified as a nurse in B.C.
Scholarships, bursaries and loans
If you need financial support to help fund your nursing education, there are options. View the Scholarships, Bursaries and Loans webpage on WorkBC.ca to learn more. Check out the StudentAidBC website to find out how to apply for provincial loans and discover the grants, scholarships and bursaries that may be applicable to you, including the Nurses Education Bursary.