August 24, 2011
Funding Adds New Student Healthcare Spaces

DAWSON CREEK – Future health professionals in the Peace River region will benefit from additional student spaces to get the training they need to provide the high-quality health care B.C. families deserve. Northern Lights College received $58,000 in one-time funding for two additional seats to provide training for practical nursing programs in Fort St. John and provide support towards five new seats in the health care assistant program in Chetwynd.

Why this matters:

  • This program allows trained health care assistants to upgrade their training and earn a practical nursing certificate.
  • Practical nursing students will graduate with the theory and skills required to practice as a licensed practical nurse and provide nursing care in partnership with other health care professionals in acute care, extended care, intermediate care and community settings.

Quotes:

“As the burden on our healthcare system increases, support like this makes a difference – especially in smaller rural communities like Chetwynd. Northern Lights College trains many healthcare professionals that make a difference every day across B.C.”
-Peace River South MLA Blair Lekstrom

“Obviously there is a need for more spaces in these types of programs and this funding will go a long way towards training these students, who are the future of healthcare in northeastern B.C.”
-Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm

“Health sciences is an important programming area at Northern Lights College, and the college is pleased to receive this financial support from the Province making our programs accessible through videoconference to students at located at our campuses in Chetwynd and Fort St. John. Healthcare professionals are needed throughout northern British Columbia, and this investment assists in educating and training our community members to fill these important positions in the health care system.”
-Peter Nunoda, Northern Lights College, Vice-President, Education.

Additional Information:

  • This funding is part of the provincial government’s almost $1.5 million in one-time funding to support the expanded delivery of nine health care programs at six colleges and universities across the province.
  • One-time funding to improve access to health education programs helps to meet current and projected employment needs in the health care field throughout the province. B.C.’s post-secondary system is helping to provide faster, safer and better healthcare for individuals and families across British Columbia ensuring students in the health care professions have the skills and training they need to succeed in the future.
  • Since 2001...
    • The Province has provided approximately $1.2 billion in health-related post-secondary funding to institutions across the province.
    • The number of nursing spaces has more than doubled by adding over 4,450 spaces resulting in over 20,000 credentials being awarded. The provincial government has funded more than 880 Health Care Assistant spaces throughout B.C.
    • The Province has invested more than $2.5 billion in student financial assistance, making post-secondary education more accessible for students across the province.

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