Nursing program at Okanagan College coming to an end

Health-care training is expanding in Kelowna but it means nursing students will have to shift from Okanagan College to UBC Okanagan in order to complete their training.

“Currently, the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are available at both the college and UBCO,” says a posting on the Okanagan College’s website. “This change would mean that, effective September 2023, the program is offered exclusively at UBCO.”

The plan still has to be formally approved but it calls for UBCO to open up 24 new seats in its nursing training program. The two dozen Okanagan College students impacted by the change will be guaranteed a seat.

“It allows our institutions to continue working together to support even more students interested in careers in health professions,” Dr. Andrew Hay, provost and academic vice-president at Okanagan College, said in the post.

The shift will allow Okanagan College to expand its health care training into other areas. The post doesn't say what those areas might be.

READ MORE: Why a skilled surgeon is not allowed to work in Merritt's emergency room

The college will continue its practical nursing and pharmacy technician programs.

The governing bodies for both institutions have to approve the move. That is expected to happen by early July in time for the changes to be implemented for the September term.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submitphotos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.