Being able to study and train in a smaller community has made it easier for Cheri Tetreault to transition to her career.

Tetreault graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNBC’s South-Central campus in Quesnel this year and she will soon be working on the acute care floor at GR Baker Memorial Hospital. She’s looking forward to working with some of the same people who were teaching her clinical skills during her studies.

“The collaboration and partnership with our preceptors was instrumental for us because they are going to be our future colleagues.” She says. “It’s exciting that we can build that foundational relationship that will help us build a strong team. Because we have that relationship, we can trust each other.” 

Tetreault was one of 12 graduates from the nursing program in Quesnel, which is offered in collaboration with the College of New Caledonia. The graduates completed their entire degree at the North Cariboo Community Campus in Quesnel, studying for two years at CNC and concluding their degree with two years of study at UNBC.

Family and friends joined the graduates for the first in-person graduation celebration at the campus since 2019. In addition to receiving their degrees, the new nurses also received their pins and read the nursing pledge. 

The community focus of the program is key to its success. Tetreault is looking forward to working with some of her fellow new graduates who have also lined up jobs in the region.

“The nursing program is developing high-quality nursing students who largely stay in Quesnel to serve this community, or shine their greatness in other areas of B.C.,” she says.

This group of graduates had to navigate their pandemic when they were in the midst of their studies. That meant transitioning to online learning and adapting their training to abide by the evolving COVID-19 protocols. Tetreault said although it was challenging at times, she feels her classmates will be able to use that experience as they begin to practice.

“As new grads, I feel we are in the unique and prime position to take what we learned during the height of the pandemic and use it to spearhead improvements and initiatives in the future,” Tetreault says.