Your path to nursing starts at home
Health care is one of the most in-demand fields in British Columbia and your journey can begin right here in qathet!
Our laddered Health Care programs at VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ allow you to start as a Health Care Assistant (HCA), advance to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You can gain respected credentials, hands-on experience and career mobility without ever leaving your community.
Health Care Assistant program (HCA)
Our Health Care Assistant program provides the skills and experience needed to enter the health care workforce quickly. Learn the personal care and communication skills that will prepare you to provide support to others with compassion and professionalism while building a strong foundation for future nursing studies and career advancement.
Career opportunities
Earn a Health Care Assistant Certificate, opening the door for you to pursue employment in:
- Hospitals
- Care homes
- Complex care facilities
- Home support agencies
- Residential settings
Learn more about the HCA program
Program start dates and deadlines
Applications are open for our September 2026 cohort. Once the program is full, students will be added to a waitlist.
Practical Nursing Access Program
Designed for students ready to take the next step, the Practical Nursing Access Program prepares you for a vital nursing role in today’s health care system. This credential opens doors to immediate employment and creates a clear bridge to becoming a Registered Nurse.
Note: The Practical Nursing Access Program at VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ is only available for students who have successfully completed the Health Care Assistant program and who are experienced as Health Care Aides or Registered Care Aides.
Career opportunities
Upon graduation with a Practical Nursing Diploma students have a diverse range of employment possibilities including:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Extended care facilities
- Rehabilitation centres
- General practitioner offices
- Clinics
- Private care homes
- Educational facilities
- Community health centres.
Learn more about the tiwšɛmawtxʷ Bridge-in Practical Nursing program
Program start dates and deadlines
Our next PNAC cohort starts May 3, 2027
Applications for the Practical Nursing Access Program at VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ will be open from September 14, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
Students interested in this program should meet with a Student Services advisor as soon as possible to review their progress and enrol in any necessary pre-requisites.
Registered Nurse program
Become a Registered Nurse and earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing here in qathet! This program prepares you for complex clinical environments and leadership opportunities in health care. By studying locally, building on your Practical Nursing experience, you can save on housing and travel costs while building a career that supports both your future and your community.
Note: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ is only available to students who are Licensed Practical Nurses.
Career opportunities
Registered nurses are in high-demand Registered Nurses are in high demand and the BSN Program prepares students to be a strong leaders, able to meet the changing needs of populations on Vancouver Island, in BC and around the world. Embark on a rewarding lifetime career in a variety of different health care settings including hospitals, long-term care and community health. Additional training and certifications open the door to many more specialized roles including:
- ICU and Emergency Room Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Nurse Educator
- Case Manager
- Addiction Nurse
- Cosmetic Nurse
- Travel Nurse
- Corporate Health
Learn more about the BSN program
Program Start Dates and Deadlines
Connect with a tiwšɛmawtxʷ Student Services advisor or visit our campus to learn more and begin your career as a health care professional.
Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology
Gabriella Adams
Nursing student
As an Indigenous student in the Practical Nursing program at Vancouver Island University, I feel proud to study on the traditional lands of local Indigenous peoples while learning to provide compassionate and culturally respectful care.