One year after the UBC Vancouver School of Nursing announced the expansion of its Nurse Practitioner (NP) program, students have now officially begun their training at the new facility in Surrey, bringing a new wave of healthcare professionals closer to the communities they serve.
September 12, 2025
A version of this story was originally published on the BC Government website.
The new location is already having a positive impact on students.
“The expansion of the NP program into Surrey provides me with the opportunity to not only learn from, but also to engage with the community that I hope to practise in. It’s a consideration that played a large role in my decision to further my studies at UBC,” said Alexandra Jude, a second-year student in the NP program. “The ability to be closer to home allows for a sustainable and enjoyable school-life balance as I raise my young family. I know that future students will benefit greatly from this expanded option as well.”
Located at the City Centre 1 building, adjacent to Surrey Memorial Hospital, the space is equipped with modern classrooms, a skills lab, meeting rooms and multi-purpose areas designed to support student learning and promote inter-professional collaboration.
This milestone marks the culmination of a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Applied Science, the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills and the BC Ministry of Health. It underscores a shared commitment to building a robust healthcare workforce for the province.
Government has added 65 new seats to NP programs throughout BC, including 30 seats at UBC, increasing the number of people training to be nurse practitioners to 165 per year.
“Thanks to the Government of British Columbia’s investment in this significant program expansion, UBC’s School of Nursing now hosts the largest nurse practitioner program in Canada, admitting 60 students each year.” said Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc, Director of the UBC Vancouver School of Nursing. “This growth not only helps fill an urgent need for more primary-care providers across the province, but it also expands UBC’s program in Surrey, adding classes to the clinical placements already taking place in the Fraser Health region, closer to where many students live and plan to work.”
Speaking at the official announcement event, the Honourable Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills shared, “When you or someone in your family needs care, you shouldn’t have to wait, travel far or worry about whether your needs can be met. That’s why we’re expanding nurse practitioner training across BC, so more people can get timely, personalized care right in their own communities. We’re making sure more families have trusted providers nearby and ready to help when and where they’re needed most.”