A new home for the future of health care

For the first time in its 106-year history, the UBC School of Nursing has a purpose-built home to support its world-class teaching and research. The Gateway Health Building, located at the corner of University Boulevard and Wesbrook Mall, features cutting edge facilities and learning spaces that reflect the present – and future – of healthcare. 

The move represents a step forward in the School of Nursing’s ability to teach the next generation of healthcare workers. Since 1980, the School had been housed on the third floor of the UBC Hospital. While the space was cutting edge at the time, how healthcare is delivered – and taught – has changed significantly. Now, the School’s teaching, research and administration are housed in a space that better reflects contemporary nursing education.  

“The work we do here not only creates the leaders in our health system throughout BC and Canada, but it creates the innovation and knowledge to improve health equity globally," said School of Nursing Director Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc. “The Gateway Health Building is designed for what nursing is now and what nursing education can be in the future.” 

Image

Learning to "think and act like a nurse" 

Among the most significant new facilities are the Clinical Simulation Suites. These spaces encourage students to practice hands-on learning in a realistic environment. Mannequins using High Fidelity Simulation technology replicate clinical patients, providing a safe environment to learn skills and procedures before interacting with real patients. Each simulation room is equipped with recorders that allow instructors to review in-depth with students.  

Expanded clinical skills labs have doubled in size to 32 beds each, providing more opportunities for students to "think and act like a nurse” before they transition into a clinical environment. This increased capacity means an additional cohort can use the space simultaneously. An additional skills lab on the fourth floor supports Nurse Practitioner education. New teaching spaces have been designed with flexibility in mind and can accommodate activities ranging from small breakout groups to wellness activities like yoga.  

Image

The building also houses the School of Kinesiology, Student Health Services, and components of UBC Health, forming a hub for integrated health. Once scattered across campus, the newfound proximity of health disciplines presents unique opportunities for collaboration.   

Image

One such opportunity is the Team-Based Care Teaching Clinic, the province’s first purpose-built interprofessional primary care teaching clinic. Funded by the BC Ministry of Health, a partnership between 10 healthcare professions spanning six faculties, the clinic will be a testing ground for interdisciplinary collaboration and new models that can be deployed across BC. UBC Nursing students will complete clinical rotations and practice education placements once the clinic opens later this year.  

The building and its landscape were designed in collaboration with Musqueam to include traditional values and a desire to reflect the forest landscape that once existed on the site. This landscape extends into the atrium, with visible timber reflecting Musqueam traditions of building. Artwork from the host nation is also installed throughout the space.  

The Gateway Health Building isn’t the only new School of Nursing space to open in recent months. In collaboration with the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, the Nurse Practitioner program expanded to a facility adjacent to Surrey Memorial Hospital in September. 

From Fairview to Point Grey, the School of Nursing has resided in many spaces since 1919. Learn more about the history of the School's buildings on campus and beyond.