North Island College, located in the Comox Valley in British Columbia is a comprehensive community college that focuses on student success. We proudly serve more than 9,000 students annually at our four campuses, our learning centre and through online and in-community learning.

North Island College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree and Practical Nursing Diploma which also offers an additional Access to Practical Nursing Pathway to a diploma. Registered Nurses (RNs) are leaders in the health care field, with their practice guided by a Code of Ethics and professional practice standards. From research to education to policy to clinical care, RNs lead the way in patient advocacy with a focus on public safety.”

From research to education to policy to clinical care, registered nurses work in a wide range of practice settings. Being a Registered Nurse is a commitment to an ethically-driven, caring professional. Learn more about the nursing profession.”

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree

NIC offers a four-year degree in partnership with Vancouver Island University using the same concept-based collaborative curriculum, including leadership, advocacy, political action, nursing knowledge development and nursing scholarship. Settings include classroom, simulation lab, clinical and community, which offer diverse contexts to ensure students develop professional nursing skills to provide direct care and care coordination as part of a team in urban, rural and global settings.”

Practical Nursing

Prepare to deliver nursing care that meets the LPN practice standards and entry-level competencies of the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals. The program emphasizes the concepts of caring, holism, nursing collaboration, self-reflection, lifespan, leadership and safety as well as diversity and Indigenous health. Develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. You’ll take part in over 650 hours of hands-on clinical practice hours in communities across the region as you prepare to meet the ever expanding role of LPNs in British Columbia. You’ll be a valuable member of a multi-disciplinary health care team in acute, complex or residential care and community settings.

LPN Access to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree:

This program provides qualified Licensed Practical Nurses an admission option into second year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Enrolment is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program as it is a selective process.”

School of Nursing Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

Students in NIC’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree learn about diverse peoples and communities from day one, including an understanding of Indigenous health perspectives that have had a national impact. The leadership of NIC students at the Canadian Nursing Student Association has led to a resolution to ensure all registered nursing students across Canada understand Indigenous health perspectives before they graduate. 

NIC’s BSN program is a recognized leader in responding to the challenges Indigenous people in remote communities face in accessing adequate, culturally effective health care services. Students can participate in practicums in Indigenous communities on BC’s central coast and overseas.

The Indigenous Education page describes the Bachelor of Science in Nursing as one of its “Indigenous-focused programs” with the following NIC advantage

• Customized, flexible education plans
• Individualized support programs
• Seamless transferability
• In-community and land-based learning opportunities
• Community of support including Indigenous Education Navigators and Elders in Residence
• Research expertise in Indigenous language, health and incorporating ways of knowing and being into courses”

North Island College

Reconciliation, Indigenization, Decolonization

NIC is committed to reconciliation, Indigenization, decolonization through action – a commitment to develop meaningful relationships, to listen and to learn from the Indigenous communities we are so fortunate to serve. 

The concepts of reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonization require specific interrelated actions. We invite you to explore these terms and NIC initiatives as we work together to create pathways to meaningful change grounded in our collective voice. 

Reconciliation: advancing the 94 Calls to Action as presented by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Our individual and collective commitment to action in our lives, work, communities and organizations is a vital aspect of reconciliation. We must draw on the guiding principles of TRC to build awareness of the past, acknowledge the harms, atone for the causes of those harms, and take action to change behaviours and the ongoing legacy of residential schools. 

Indigenization: is the ongoing process that calls upon us to create transformative environments across our college that promote weaving local Indigenous knowledge systems together with the distinct knowledge systems reflected across our college community. Indigenization supports a fundamental shift that enables learners, faculty and staff to understand, appreciate and mutually respect one another. 

Decolonization: deconstructing colonial institutional constructs, ideologies and superiority to advance the reclamation, recovery, resurgence and renewal of Indigenous culture, language and holistic relationships with self, spirit, land, community and others.

Working Together: Indigenization Plan 2021 – 2025

Call to Action # 24

We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Mandatory Course: Yes

NUR – 410 Health and Wellness in First Nations Communities 3 credits

Following Indigenous pedagogical processes focused on relational accountability and ecological reciprocity, learners will engage in inquiry discussion, ceremony and land-based learning, through both online (digital) and in-person (field school) experiences located in a remote First Nations community. Topics include contemporary and colonial intersections of health, wellness, reconciliation and cultural safety.

Course description: Main course hub is here. Bachelor program overviews are here. The bachelor’s (NUR) and Practical Nurse’s (PNS) full course descriptions are in the Academic Calendar:

School of Nursing Commitment to Call to Action # 24: 3 out of 5 = 60% 

1. Aboriginal health issues
Yes. See mandatory course descriptions.
2. The history and legacy of residential schools
Yes. See mandatory course descriptions.
3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
No. No explicit reference.
4. Treaties and Aboriginal rights
No. No explicit reference.
5. Indigenous teachings and Practice
Yes. See mandatory course descriptions.

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing’s “Statement” of apology for colonial harms resulting from nursing education

Dec.11, 2023: CASN apologizes to Indigenous Peoples of Canada for Colonial harms resulting from nursing education…CASN is committed to a process of self-reflection, learning, and transformation. We will take the following steps to address the harms:

1. Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety, and Humility: Promote education, resources, and practices that address anti-Indigenous racism, supporting decolonization, cultural humility, and cultural safety for nursing faculty, staff, and students. Promote institutional policies and processes that address systemic racism to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
2. Curriculum Revision: Promote a review of nursing education curricula to ensure a strengths-based focus and trauma-informed approach, the inclusion of content on the continued impact of colonialism and racism on Indigenous health, as well as Indigenous perspectives on health and well-being.
3. Community Engagement: Establish meaningful partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities to ensure their voices are heard in shaping nursing education policies and practices.
4. Recruitment and Retention: Promote strategies that create culturally safe and supportive learning environments including pre-admission supports, in-program supports, and services that are developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.
5. Ongoing Accountability: In collaboration with Indigenous partners, establish mechanisms to monitor progress and address concerns raised by partners, Indigenous nursing students, and faculty.

Land Acknowledgement: 

Health and Human Services and School of Nursing do not have a Land Acknowledgement.

Located on the North Island College Home Page:

North Island College is honoured to acknowledge the traditional territories of the combined 35 First Nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka̱’wakw and Coast Salish traditions, on whose traditional and unceded territories the College’s campuses are situated.

NOTE: All content has been submitted to the respective faculty for validation to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The North Island College Faculty of Health and Human Services reviewed and approved the document. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Research Assistant:  Timothy Maton