Evolving NNPBC’s Governance: Now and for the Future
Since uniting BC’s four nursing designations in 2018, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC has made meaningful progress in raising the collective voice of the profession. Our previous governance model laid the groundwork for that success. But the healthcare system is under growing pressure that nurses and nurse practitioners feel every day. To keep pace with the realities you’re facing, NNPBC has evolved its governance structure so we can be more effective in supporting you and advocating for the changes our system needs. This isn’t just about internal change. It’s about building a more effective organization that can act with purpose and ensure nurses are helping shape the future of healthcare for their patients, their communities and their profession.
Governance and why it matters
Governance is the system that shapes how a non-profit is run at the highest level. It includes the people (like a board of directors) who guide the organization and make sure it stays true to its purpose. At NNPBC, governance plays a critical role in:
- Setting strategic direction for the organization
- Ensuring accountability and transparency, including around how member dollars are used
- Providing leadership and oversight to support the CEO and strengthen NNPBC’s impact
Good governance ensures that NNPBC is focused on and accountable to its mission to support and advocate for all nurses and nurse practitioners in BC. It helps make sure that we’re ready and able to respond to your needs and champion your success, at every stage of your career.
Updated governance structure
NNPBC’s original governance model united all four nursing designations under one structure, creating a collective voice to help advance the profession. In 2025, we built on that foundation to strengthen the organization and create new ways for members to lead and contribute. To make this happen, we updated our governance structure and the bylaws that support it in the following ways:
- Built a nurse-majority, skills-based board of directors that includes nurses and nurse practitioners from all four nursing designations, as well as those with expertise and experience in non-profit governance
- Established new governance committees composed of board and non-board members, focused on organizational governance issues like finance, strategic planning, governance, and more
- Created a Nurse Practitioner Leadership Committee to replace the NP Council, continuing the specialized work of this group
What this means for NNPBC
By modernizing our governance model, guided by your input and best practice, we’re creating an organization poised for greater impact. We’re better equipped to act on emerging issues, advocate for the nursing profession and support your evolving needs. A stronger NNPBC means a more capable association working for you every day.
At the same time, these changes open up new ways for members to get involved if and how you want to. You’re able to join a governance committee to help guide NNPBC’s strategy and gain valuable experience in governance and non-profit leadership, whether you’re a board member or not.
NNPBC staff are also creating new ways for members to take action on shared priorities related to harm reduction, education, research and practice excellence. These opportunities will allow you to raise concerns, share insights and help drive advocacy and policy work both from within your designation and across the profession. This is exactly what members have told us they’re looking for and builds on the important role councils have played in bringing forward the voices and needs of nurses and NPs.
And if you prefer to stay focused on your practice while NNPBC works on your behalf? That’s great too. These changes will make NNPBC more effective, so you continue to benefit from a professional association that’s advocating for you and supporting your growth.