Nursing Menu
Why Nursing?
Nursing is more than a job — it is the desire to make a difference in the lives of others
Nurses are the heart of health care. They have the ability to make a difference in someone's life each and every day. In addition to providing care and compassion, nurses also assess, teach, advocate and inspire.
Now, more than ever, you are needed in the nursing profession. Currently, there is a world-wide shortage of nurses.
In 2017, there were over 425,000 nurses in Canada. This figure has increased from 360,000 nurses in 2011 but it is projected that there will be still be a shortage of 60,000 nurses by 2022 in Canada alone.
At Thompson Rivers University - School of Nursing, you will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to prepare you for a rewarding and challenging future as a health care professional.
To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can, in spite of all we go through . . . is to be a nurse.
— Rawsi Williams
What type of nursing is right for me? — LPN or RN?
If you want to become a nurse you need to determine the career entry point that best suits your needs. Do you want to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN)?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs are licensed by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives. LPNs are skilled nurses who work in a variety of health care settings including acute care, community and long term care settings.
The LPN diploma at TRU (Williams Lake) is a two-year program consisting of four semesters and a preceptorship at the end. During the first year, students attend from September to May and in the second year from September to July. The program is provincially articulated.
LPNs administer medication and treatment to patients (including stable patients in acute care), perform diagnostic tests and analyse results, coordinate plans for patient care and instruct patients on how to manage illnesses after treatment.
The LPN Program is offered at the Williams Lake campus only.
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs are regulated by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives. RNs are highly skilled nurses who work most commonly in a hospital setting.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BScN) is a four-year program. It is a practice-based curriculum with students integrating theoretical knowledge with practice experience from a variety of hospital and community health care settings. The scope of practice for RNs is broad, with a focus on health promotion. Nursing is a demanding but rewarding profession with responsibilities that can include the assessment and care of patients across the lifespan, medication and treatment administration, coordination of treatment plans, client teaching, and the direction and supervision of other health care professionals.
Upon graduating from an approved school of nursing, the student is eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination and to register with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives.
