Editor,
We all know that to keep northern communities healthy we need local programs that allow people to access education without leaving home, family or friends. Many of us collaborated over the years to expand and add to the programs offered at CNC/UNBC Quesnel campus.
When reports of ER closures due to physician and nurse shortages were announced around BC, we decided to look into the security of our local BSN program. Should our local ER close people could face severe winter driving conditions and potential loss of life.
Our Quesnel nursing program came secureabout due to a severe nursing shortage in the 1970s/1980s. Many graduates of this program are now employed filling the nursing needs of our community.
Our question was simple: Was the four-year BSN program offered here on the Quesnel campus, secure with funding, faculty and students? We have been unable to get a clear response from CNC-PG (the governing body for all satellite campuses). Apparently various meetings have been held with a few local people but minutes/information has been deemed “confidential”, hence this letter.
CNC-PG must keep the Quesnel community abreast of any and all plans to move programs and/or equipment to Prince George or elsewhere. If CNC is facing challenges, there are people in the Quesnel community that could be of assistance
The programs offered on the Quesnel campus come out of a need that will never go away.
Thank You.
Linda Arnold, Director of Nursing (Ret)
Anne Lloyd, Critical Care, BSN (Ret), Instructor BSN program CNC-Quesnel (Ret)
Editor's note: The Quesnel Observer reached out to the college, who said the Quesnel campus' nursing program is not in danger of closing. They pointed to a recently opened lab at the Quesnel campus as evidence of how they are investing in expanding the program in the city.
