Nursing in B.C.

Why Nursing?

Whether you are a high school student interested in the profession of nursing, or an individual seeking a career change, there are endless opportunities for you to build a satisfying, rewarding and successful career in nursing.

Nurses work with clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings such as hospitals, residential care facilities, communities, schools, correctional facilities, and more. Nurses also work in several domains of healthcare including clinical practice, research, administration, education and policy.

Understanding Nursing Designations:

There are four nursing designations within the province of B.C. These include:

1. Registered Nurse (RN)
2. Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
3. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
4. Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Nurses in each designation have a different level of education and a unique skill set which defines their scope of practice (the procedures, actions, and processes that a healthcare practitioner is permitted to undertake in keeping with the terms of their professional license). However, nurses from all designations work collaboratively to provide high quality patient care, and are integral to the healthcare team.

Three Pillars of Nursing

1. Regulatory College - In B.C., the College of Registered Nurses is responsible for regulating RNs and NPs in the public interest under the authority of the Health Professions Act.
2. Association - In B.C., the Association of Registered Nurses of B.C., is the professional association, whose mandate is to act on behalf of nursing to advance the profession, and to provide a nursing voice to influence nursing, health and social policy.
3. Union - In B.C., the BC Nurses Union (BCNU) acts on behalf of nurses to secure salary, benefits and working conditions.