BC Nurses' Union Provides Funds for Education and Research Needed to Manage Opioid Crisis

The BC Nurses' Union is collaborating with the BC Centre on Substance Use to address the gap in addiction medicine training that makes it difficult for many patients to access much-needed treatment for substance use disorder.

The partnership is part of a growing commitment by the BCNU to find a solution to the ongoing and devastating opioid crisis taking place throughout the province.

"We are excited to be working with the dedicated team at the BCCSU to take a closer look at how we can support those who are recovering from substance use disorders (SUD)," says BCNU Acting President Christine Sorensen. "This opportunity with the BCCSU will also mean more of a focus on educating our members and supporting them as they deal with the complex needs of the public."

BCNU is pleased to support the BCCSU through the financial sponsorship of $100,000 for two addiction nursing fellowships. These two nurses will undergo an intense six-month program that will include specialty training in inpatient and outpatient addiction services, as well as related concurrent disorders training. Once the training is completed, the fellows will be prepared to work clinically in the field of addiction medicine and better able to support their nursing colleagues and health authority in taking care of patients.

The BCCSU's addiction nursing fellowship was begun in 2013. The BCNU's support will help expand the research and impact of the program. Both BCNU and the BCCSU agree it is vital that evidence-based research and treatment options be relied on when treating those with SUD.

"We believe that involving the individual in their own treatment plan is an important step in assisting with their recovery," says Sorensen. "We hope that there will be more interest in advanced education and research into substance use disorders."