Discover your potential in an unparalleled mountain setting and supportive, close-knit community where someone’s always looking out for you. With more than 80 nationally recognized programs, small class sizes, affordable tuition, hands-on learning, extensive transfer agreements and comprehensive services, Selkirk College is your path to a future full of possibility. Located in Castlegar and southern British Columbia, the college has “eight campus locations in different West Kootenay and Boundary communities.
The Health and Human Services program offers training for Practical Nursing and a Nursing Bachelor of Science. Channel your compassion into a meaningful, in-demand career making a real difference in people’s lives. Learn in small classes from dedicated, knowledgeable instructors with hands-on experience. You’ll develop advocacy skills, technical skills and practical skills and have the opportunity to participate in community outreach placements. Many courses have transfer opportunities.
Nursing – Bachelor of Science (BSN):
With all four years of classes held at Selkirk College, you will get to study in one of BC’s most beautiful regions and graduate with a University of Victoria Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Our location supports you to live in a community where the cost of living is lower than most urban centres. You will experience small class sizes, simulation technology, a variety of rural practice placements, and may have international learning opportunities.
Nursing careers are diverse and include practice, education, administration and research. After graduation, you will be prepared for entry level practice in a variety of settings and eligible for post-basic nursing specialty programs, including medical/surgical, critical care, gerontology, maternal child health, mental health, rural and remote, and community health.
The curriculum provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative and culturally sensitive with an aim to prepare graduates to care for individuals (and, by extension, families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings.
The Provincial Practical Nursing Program (PPNP) is designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, judgements and attitudes to perform to the full range of competencies as identified by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Consistent with the BCCNM Scope of Practice: Standards, Limits and Conditions, the focus for beginner’s practice is the “promotion, maintenance and restoration of health, with a focus on clients with stable or predictable states of health.” Additionally, upon successful completion of the program, learners will possess the competencies to successfully complete the regulatory exam for practical nurses, the REx-PN.
School of Health and Human Services Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
The School Health and Human Services is currently undergoing a curriculum refresh in our BSN program, with a strong focus on reconciliation, the TRC calls to action, and addressing Indigenous health and wellness and historical perspectives. These will be written and reflected in a more explicit manner in our program and course outcomes for 2025.
Selkirk College
Building a Framework for Reconciliation
Selkirk College is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Reconciliation, the intentional process of establishing and maintaining respectful and right relationships with Indigenous governments, organizations, families and learners, involves repairing damaged trust in education systems through respect and reciprocity.
Decolonizing Education
We are committed to the Indigenization and decolonization of education. Supporting traditional First Nations, Métis and Inuit approaches to learning, resolving conflict, repairing harm and restoring relationships will inform the reconciliation process.
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 (BSN)
INDG302 – Indigenous Health and Healing
INDG 302 Indigenous Health and Healing introduces students to the topic of Aboriginal health and healing from the time prior to first contact with European newcomers through to the present. We will also focus on cultural awareness and critical thinking on current Aboriginal health and healing issues. Aboriginal health and healing will be explored from within a variety of Aboriginal perspectives that are inclusive of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of health and well-being. Skill-based training in cultural safety and anti-racism based on the recommendations and information provided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission results and the ‘calls to action’ will be emphasized. Aboriginal worldviews and ‘ways of knowing’ will be embedded in the course delivery as well as course content.
NURS 342 Health Healing VI: Global Health Issues.
Participants in this course continue to develop an understanding of people’s experience with health and healing related to a variety of increasingly complex chronic and episodic global health challenges and issues. Emphasis is placed on the role of the nurse as care provider, community organizer/facilitator, educator and advocate within the context of the global society and the changing health care environment. Participants examine a variety of emerging health issues and trends using these as a context for further developing their personal understanding of nursing practice that supports meaningful interactions with individuals, families, groups, communities and society.
Course description: BSN Courses
Practical Nursing
The PN program policy has the following professional requirements:
Professional Requirements:
Students in the PNP shall:
1. acknowledge that Indigenous specific racism and colonialism exist and that students will integrate trauma-informed practice and work towards reconciliation of Indigenous health and wellness.
(See also In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care, 2020).
Course descriptions: Selkirk College – Practical Nursing ─ Diploma (smartcatalogiq.ca)
School of Nursing Commitment to Call to Action # 24: 4 out of 5 = 80%
| 1. Aboriginal health issues | |
| Yes. See mandatory course description. | |
| 2. The history and legacy of residential schools | |
| Yes. See mandatory course description. | |
| 3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples | |
| Yes. Addressed in INDG302 and NURS342 as per | |
| 4. Treaties and Aboriginal rights | |
| No. No explicit reference. | |
| 5. Indigenous teachings and practice | |
| Yes. See mandatory course description. | |
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:
- 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.
- 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
- Community Engagement: Establish meaningful partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities to ensure their voices are heard in shaping nursing education policies and practices.
- 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.
- 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:
Located on the Health and Human Services Home Page and the Selkirk College Hone Page
Selkirk College acknowledges the traditional territories of the Sinixt (Lakes), the Syilx (Okanagan), the Ktunaxa and the Secwépemc (Shuswap) Peoples.
| NOTE: All content has been submitted to the respective faculty for validation to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The Selkirk College School of Health and Human Services reviewed and approved the document. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Research Assistant: Timothy Maton |