To date, the RNFBC Board members and “friends” of the Foundation have successfully built a $5 Million endowment fund. The interest from the 39 named bursaries that make up the endowment allows the Foundation offer more than 100 bursaries each year to help support BC nurses in their nursing education.

Established as a charitable organization by the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia (now the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia) in 1979, the RNFBC mandate is to support BC nurses pursuing basic and advanced education. It does so by raising funds to allow the distribution of bursaries to qualified students.

We are committed to the advancement of nursing practice and nursing education through the provision of bursaries for students enrolled in nursing programs: from basic programs to specialty and graduate education programs.

There are 17 Nursing Programs in BC and all have wait lists. Unfortunately, their ability to increase enrollment is compromised by underfunding and a growing shortage of nurse educators.

We support both entry-level (undergrad) education and advanced degrees such as masters and PhD level programs focused on preparing practicing nurses for advance practice (e.g. nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists); educators; and researchers.