Preparing Native Indian RNs in British Columbia

In 1981 the Nisga'a Tribal Council in New Aiyansh and North Coast Tribal Council in Prince Rupert commissioned a feasibility study to determine whether there was interest among Indian people of coastal British Columbia in pursuing registered nurse (RN) education. The study resulted in a three year project, the Northern Native Indian Professional Nursing Program (NNIPNP) offering RN preparation which addressed the personal, social and cultural needs of prospective students, their families and communities, while ensuring quality education at par with provincial standards. This article discusses the project as a community-based initiative and my roles as program coordinator, cultural broker, advocate, and liaison between communities, students and the educational institutions offering the RN program

Ethnology · Library science · Native american · Political science · Sociology · Cultural Competency in Health Care · Nursing Education, Practice, and Leadership · Service-Learning and Community Engagement