Nursing, health care programs across Lower Mainland continue to see high demand

VANCOUVER (CITYNEWS) – Nursing and Health Care programs across the Lower Mainland continue to see high demand, despite the physical and emotional demands of working through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Elizabeth Saewyc, Director at UBC School of Nursing, says part of the reason is that the pandemic has highlighted the extent of what health care professionals actually do.

“I think the visibility of nurses and health professionals during the pandemic has given people the chance to see this is nursing. It’s not the stereotypes you see on TV,” says Saewyc.

The school saw a 30 per cent increase for their Bachelors programs and PHD applicants doubled. UBC is not the only school seeing a sharp increase, with Langera’s Faculty of Nursing also noting an increase in applications.

Saewyc says another reason for the increase in applications is the changing economy and the desire for job security.

“With so many businesses on hold, and people losing their jobs, nurses were still employed. We always need health care professionals, and that’s spurring the interest in job security and have a profession that’s meaningful,” she explains.

The growing interest in the profession is encouraging, however the B.C. Nurses Union is worried that there is not enough seats to accommodate the high demand.

Christine Sorensen, President of the BC Nurses Union, says that this should be a sign to increase the amount of resources available to nurses, including investing into education and nursing practices.

“The government needs to be concerned about the health of nurses, how to support those in health care, how to incentivize nurses, and how to recruit enough nurses to care for the people in this province,” explains Sorensen.

Sorensen says the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important nurses are in public health care and the need for more supports from the public and the government.