Canada’s regulated nursing workforce remains predominantly comprised of women. It’s estimated at 91% (90.6 % in BC) in the latest data from 2021 so International Women’s Day resonates with us. However, as we pointed out last month, the number of women in nursing leadership roles, especially Black women in leadership roles, continues to miss the mark.
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Recognizing Black History Month – Celebrating Nurses
Black nurses have a long history of contributing to the health of British Columbians but for decades this contribution went unrecognized. Although Black women could attend Schools of Nursing in the US in the 1870s, it was not until the late 1940s that Canadian Schools of Nursing allowed their entry. However, Black nurses emigrated from the US to BC and early census data showed some listed as nurses and named in records as having attended births.
A Record 274 Award Winners
RNFBC is proud to announce that a record number of 274 bursaries worth $276,000 were given out in the most recent award cycle.
While this was a record of giving for the Foundation, the number of applicants far exceeded what we were able to award. This demand demonstrates the pressing need to support both students hoping to become nurses and nurses who are furthering their education in order to meet the requirements of the health care system.
Season of Giving
Throughout the challenges of the last number of years, we are grateful nurses have continued to do their jobs, caring for us when we are at our most vulnerable. We are also grateful that there are many who continue to choose nursing as their profession. Since 1979, Registered Nurses Foundation of BC has financially supported those entering schools of nursing as well as those who require further education to meet the needs of a complex health care system.
This year, the Foundation received many more applications from RNs, LPNs and RPNs than we could support. Sadly, we have had to disappoint many qualified applicants.
Remembering Military Nurses
On this day of remembrance, RNFBC pays tribute to the many nurses who have gone to war. The BC History of Nursing Society wrote of BC nurses who served in World War I, pointing out that 54 Vancouver General Hospital grads alone enlisted. In World War II 4,480 Canadian nurses served in the military as …
Thanksgiving Message
To our nurses: While we are all snug at home enjoying family, friends and the delicious aroma of Thanksgiving cooking, many of you are working diligently to make sure our loved ones are cared for. On this day of giving thanks, all of us at RNFBC wish to take a moment to recognize all of …
Thank You!
As we enter the fall academic season, RNFBC would like to give a shout out to all the people and organizations that are so important to health care in British Columbia. First, we wish to recognize our nurse educators who work very hard to instill knowledge and skills into our future generation of nurses. We are …
Support Nurses
Nurses need our support. This year, we have seen a record number of applicants for the RNFRBC bursaries. We expect to support between 200 – 230 nursing students. While we commit to a minimum of $200,000 in funding each year, reaching this goal can be challenging. Who has not needed a nurse? Nurses play an …
Back to School
September is traditionally back to school for many students. For those aspiring to be nurses it may be their first term in an RN, LPN or RPN education program or continuing in their second or third year on their way to entering nursing practice. For others already licensed it may mean advancing their nursing practice …
How My Bursary Helped
I am honoured to receive the Registered Nurses Foundation of BC Challenge Bursary for 2021. When I first started nursing school, I pictured myself going into emergency nursing, where the environment is fast-paced and exciting. However, during my third year, I did a clinical placement in the impoverished Downtown Eastside, where I saw first-hand the …