SOUND OFF: Celebrating and supporting nurses
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NURSES ARE WITH US for some of our most important moments. Whether that is welcoming a child into the world or spending final moments with a loved one, nurses are there. National Nursing Week affords us an opportunity to reflect on the skill and dedication of nurses across B.C. and thank them for the incredible service they provide.
The theme of this year’s National Nursing week, from May 9-15, was “We Answer the Call.” Nursing is a diverse field that encompasses many skills and occupations. Nurse practitioners, nurse educators, registered nurses and many others, provide an irreplaceable service to all British Columbians. In my own career as a nurse, I have met truly inspirational people who embody dedication and strength every single day.
This year’s theme also reminds us of the perseverance of nurses across the province over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuing toxic drug crisis. This has been an unprecedented challenge for our province and nurses in B.C. did not hesitate to “answer the call.”
Understanding that nurses have faced some enormous challenges over the past few years, I’m excited that our government is finding ways to bring more nurses into the workforce to alleviate some pressure on those who have worked so hard the last few years. To achieve this, we’re adding over 600 nursing seats at colleges and universities, including 25 at Thompson Rivers University. These seats are in addition to the previously existing 2,000 seats province-wide.
