BC Nursing Workforce Research Network is a collaborative consortium established by leading institutional partners including—University of British Columbia, Providence Health Care, and BC Cancer’s Nursing Research team (formerly Nursing & Allied Health Research & Knowledge Translation, NAHRKT). Constituted of nursing and research professionals, the network focuses on strengthening the Clinical Nurse Specialist role and the broader nursing workforce by addressing sustainability, clarifying roles, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and embedding patient-centred principles into practice and policy across the province.
GOALS OF THE NETWORK
Advance Evidence-Informed Workforce Policies
To optimize, integrate and advance nursing roles - especially Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) - across BC’s health system.
Translate Research into Practice
Through co-developed tools, implementation frameworks, and tailored strategies aligned with health authority needs.
Build Research and Knowledge Mobilization Capacity among Nurses
Creating research opportunities, supporting careers, and boosting nursing contributions to health transformation.
Leverage Cross-Sector Expertise
Building strong partnerships between academia and health authorities for sustainable workforce solutions.
OUR PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Informing Policy to Optimize the Clinical Nurse Specialist Workforce
FUNDING PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: This project is funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research Catalyst Grant and is being conducted in collaboration with the University of British Columbia School of Nursing.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research is to develop clear, actionable, and evidence-based policy to shape nursing workforce transformation and practice-ready policy recommendations to establish a provincial CNS strategy for PHSA and implementation roadmap for BC Cancer. We will accomplish this through 3 phases.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS: Outputs from this research hold the potential to substantially impact policy, programs, and practices for CNSs at the provincial, national, and possibly international level.
FUNDING PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: This project is funded by Michael Smith Health Research BC and is being conducted in collaboration with the University of British Columbia School of Nursing.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project is to accelerate the uptake and widespread dissemination of new evidence generated by the CNS workforce project. Phase-1 includes collaborative development of a practice-ready “BC CNS Workforce Toolkit” to facilitate the implementation of the policy recommendations. Phase 2 shall entail a series of implementation planning workshops, including sessions tailored for individual health authorities, CNS and other partners, culminating in a “BC CNS Workforce Summit” to collectively finalize and operationalize the translational activities.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS: Our final report from previous CNS workforce projects includes 6 policy recommendations that summarize pertinent findings, guiding principles and recommendations to optimize the CNS workforce in BC.
FUNDING PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: Michael Smith Health Research BC, University of British Columbia School of Nursing
OBJECTIVES: The British Columbia (BC) government is investing significantly towards the implementation of team-based care (TBC) within BC Cancer. Phased over two years, TBC implementation involves purposeful efforts towards - Establishing/expanding multidisciplinary care teams; optimizing scope of practice; and increasing team consistency. We are evaluating the impact of the existing team-based care model within BC Cancer in a research study.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS: The study team developed an evidence brief and infographic.
FUNDING PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: BC Nurses' Union (BCNU), Michael Smith Health Research BC part of the REACH program grant, and BC Cancer Foundation.
OBJECTIVES: Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is a process where patients reflect on what matters most to them and determine who may make decisions for them should they be unable to speak for themselves. The purpose of this study was to (1) Understand oncology nurses' experiences and perspectives related to AC; (2) Inform how to better support oncology nurses in engaging in meaningful ACP discussions across BC’s cancer care system; and (3) To rapidly mobilize recent nursing-led research conducted in BC to inform a nursing practice change that better support for oncology nurses in conducting Advanced Care Planning (ACP) across BC Cancer.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS: Created nurse-facing and patient-facing education materials (educational toolkit and resources, slide decks) and have updated the ACP related BC Cancer website pages.
Reimagining Advance Care Planning at BC Cancer: Pathway from issue identification in the practice setting to knowledge mobilization through a provincial nursing practice change.
If you are interested in participating in this work or would like to learn more, please contact the project leads or email us at research.kt@bccancer.bc.ca.
BC Cancer Foundation is the fundraising partner of BC Cancer, which includes BC Cancer Research. Together with our donors, we are changing cancer outcomes for British Columbians by funding innovative research and personalized treatment and care.
