Surrey, B.C. – The B.C. government has added 65 new nurse practitioner (NP) training seats across three post-secondary institutions, a move aimed at strengthening the province’s health-care workforce and improving access to primary care.
Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said the expansion ensures families can get timely, personalized care close to home.
“When you or someone in your family needs care, you shouldn’t have to wait, travel far or worry about whether your needs can be met,” Sunner said. “By expanding nurse practitioner training across B.C., we’re making sure more families have trusted providers nearby and ready to help when and where they’re needed most.”
The 65 new seats include:
- 30 seats at the University of British Columbia (UBC)
- 20 seats at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
- 15 seats at the University of Victoria (UVic)
With the additions, B.C. now trains 165 nurse practitioners per year. Government is committing $4.7 million in annual funding for the new seats and has invested $4.1 million at UNBC and $17.5 million at UBC for facility upgrades.
In September, UBC relocated its 30 new seats from Vancouver to a newly renovated Surrey campus, expanding access to students in the Fraser region. NP training is now available in five regions: Fraser, Lower Mainland, northern B.C., Vancouver Island, and the southern Interior.
“Nurse practitioners play a vital role in our primary-care teams, helping people get the care they need in their own communities without long waits or long travel,” said Health Minister Josie Osborne. “By expanding training opportunities around our province, we’re not just creating more seats in classrooms, we’re building a stronger, more connected health-care workforce that will support people and families for years to come.”
The province has also invested in Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and UVic with additional funding for new NP programs, including a 15-seat TRU program launched in 2023 and a new post-degree NP stream at UVic.
UBC NP student Alexandra Jude said the Surrey expansion is a game-changer.
“The ability to be closer to home allows for a sustainable and enjoyable school-life balance as I raise my young family,” Jude said. “Future students will benefit greatly from this expanded option as well.”
Since launching its primary-care strategy in 2018, B.C. has focused on expanding team-based, person-centered care. Officials say growing the nurse practitioner workforce will strengthen access to health services, especially for underserved rural and remote communities.
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