To date, the RNFBC Board members and “friends” of the Foundation have successfully built a $5 Million endowment fund. The interest from the 38 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.
ADVANCING NURSING EXCELLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION
Our Board & Team
Over the past 38 years, the Registered Nurses Foundation of BC has come to rely on the passion and expertise of our board and staff. This year is no exception! Although from different backgrounds within the nursing community, whether working at present or retired, the common thread our volunteer board members have is their dedication to the nurses of BC and all the Foundation can offer them.
Fiona Karmali, President
Employment: Executive Director, Professional Practice, Clinical Informatics and Policy Office, Provincial Health Services Authority
Heather Mass, Past President
Employment: Retired, TOB Consultants with Sharon Toohey
Former Life: Chief of Nursing, BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Ginger Brown, Chair, Bursary Committee
Employment: Retired
Former Life: Manager, Home Health Program, South Community Health Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health
Sharon Toohey, Chair, Audit & Finance
Employment: Retired, TOB Consultants with Heather Mass
Former Life: President, BC Children’s Hospital
Jim Hunter, Board Member
Employment: Clinical Placement Co-ordinator, BCIT
Judy Huska, Board Member
Employment: Retired but actively involved in the community including Board Chair for the Centre for Collaboration, Innovation and Motivation.
Former Life: Executive Director Quality Improvement Action Team at Impact BC
Catherine Syms, Board Member
Employment: Corporate Director of Risk Management, Provincial Health Services Authority
Sally Thorne, Board Member
Employment: Professor, UBC School of Nursing
Lauren Tindall, Board Member
Employment: Director of the Sunshine Coast Vancouver Coastal Health
