B.C. has 4,265 unfilled nursing jobs — it’s one reason why ERs are closing

Aashna Thapar grew up wanting to be a nurse, inspired by her father, a nurse in Surrey. But her recent student placements delivered a dose of reality medicine: while they reinforced her love for the profession, they also revealed the extent of the nurse shortage across B.C.

“Being able to work with patients was such a rewarding experience. But at the same time, you can see how busy it is in the hospital, and just how much the shortage of nurses is really affecting everyone, as well as patient care,” said Thapar, who did her student placements at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George.“It really opened my eyes to the reality of nursing.”

There’s a serious shortage of nurses, and it goes well beyond Prince George. It extends through all of B.C., across Canada, and into many other countries. And it comes at a time when demand for health care is surging in this province, mainly due to an aging population, more people moving here, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

B.C. has 4,265 unfilled nursing jobs — it’s one reason why ERs are closing

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