Northern B.C. Expands Path to Registered Nursing
Students in northern British Columbia now have smoother access to advanced nursing careers thanks to a new Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) pathway launched by the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). The program will help learners train locally in Fort St. John and Prince George, reducing barriers and strengthening healthcare staffing in rural and remote communities.
Why the New Pathway Matters
Healthcare workers in northern B.C. have long faced challenges including staffing shortages and limited access to advanced education. Many nurses aspiring to become RNs were required to relocate south or to larger cities to complete training — a barrier that discouraged some from advancing their careers.
The new pathway lets LPNs stay in their home region while earning the additional training they need to become registered nurses, improving both continuity of care and retention in northern health systems.
What the Program Offers
The initiative allows qualified LPNs to transition into the RN program through a combination of local coursework, online learning, and clinical placements in nearby communities. Courses will be offered in Fort St. John and Prince George, giving students the chance to remain close to family, work, and community while advancing their careers.
Officials expect the first cohort of students to begin classes in the coming academic year, with curriculum designed to match current RN training standards while recognizing the experience LPNs already bring to the profession.
Benefits for Healthcare in the North
Northern Health representatives and community leaders say the program could help address chronic nursing shortages in rural and remote areas. By training nurses closer to where they live and work, the pathway may reduce turnover, support better continuity of care, and strengthen health services in places that struggle to recruit and retain staff.
Healthcare providers also hope the initiative will encourage other health professionals to pursue education without having to relocate, bolstering the broader workforce and enhancing local care capacity.
What Students and Educators Are Saying
LPNs interested in furthering their careers welcomed the opportunity, noting that the ability to train locally would have made a big difference early in their professional journeys. Educators at UNBC and northern campuses echoed that sentiment, saying the new pathway removes a major obstacle to advanced nursing education for many rural students.
Officials stressed that the pathway does not lower academic standards; instead, it builds on the strengths and experience of LPNs, giving them an efficient route to full RN qualifications.
Looking Ahead
UNBC and partners in northern health care say they will monitor the program’s progress and may expand it further if demand remains strong. Community stakeholders are optimistic that new nursing graduates trained through this pathway will help improve access to quality care for residents in northern B.C. for years to come.
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