Nearly 20 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are one step closer to becoming registered nurses, thanks to a partnership between Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Fraser Health and the BC Nurses' Union.
Fraser Health nurses celebrate completing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at KPU.
The students, who are LPNs at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., are the first to graduate from a pilot program launched in 2024, which gives experienced LPNs a streamlined pathway to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at KPU.
"This is a partnership built on innovation, trust and a shared vision for transforming how we support the nursing workforce," says Sharmen Lee, Dean of the Faculty of Health. "We're incredibly proud of our graduating class. Their dedication, perseverance and compassion have brought them to this moment at a time when our healthcare system needs them more than ever."
The graduating class celebrated their program completion with a pinning ceremony at KPU Langley on Nov. 27. A long-standing tradition, pinning ceremonies mark the transition from student to professional nurse by awarding graduating nurses a pin.
For Aman Thoor, who has worked at Royal Columbian Hospital since 2012 as an LPN in acute care, earning a BSN has always been a goal.
"I began the program just three months after giving birth to my daughter, which was overwhelming at times, but I was fortunate to have an instructor who helped me feel supported and capable," says Thoor. "This program truly understands the demands of nursing, while offering compassion, flexibility and the kind of teaching that builds confidence and purpose. This experience really reignited my passion for nursing."
Supported by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, this pilot program aims to improve nurse-to-patient ratios across the province. Through this fast-track option, LPNs with a minimum of three years of work experience receive credits for their prior learning and experience, enabling them to complete the BSN program in a shorter time period.
The program is designed to keep LPNs employed during the program by giving them the flexibility of a reduced work schedule.
The graduating nurses are now eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and apply for registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
The next cohort will be graduating in the summer of 2026, with a third cohort entering the program next year as well.
