July 31, 2008

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For the second year BCNU is offering senior union leaders and activists an opportunity to earn an Executive MBA in healthcare at UBC's Sauder School of Business. UBC's MBA program is Canada's first Executive MBA designed for healthcare careers. It was created by UBC's Sauder School of Business in partnership with senior leaders in healthcare, BCNU and government.

This exciting opportunity is part of a five-year goal contained in our union's strategic plan to create a learning community. The MBA program will give BCNU activists the skills to become leaders and strategic partners in the future of healthcare and health policy development.

The second cohort will begin in March 2009 with a pre-core refresher course in January and February 2009. The program will conclude fifteen months later.

Program Details
Beginning in January 2009, the Executive MBA is a fifteen-month part-time course of studies at the UBC Sauder School of Business in Vancouver. It consists of:

1. Pre-Core refresher courses in accounting, quantitative methods and economics, financial accounting and technology usage. The Pre-Core course is offered in January and February 2009;
2. Integrated Core segment of key areas including finance, marketing, accounting, strategic management, logistics, information systems management, human resources, leadership, manager economics, statistics, law and ethics. The segment is offered in five separate week-long sessions from March 2009 through July 2009 one week per month — running Thursday to Monday);
3. Specialization studies which include strategic development and implementation in healthcare, strategic financial management, strategic/social marketing, implementing operational logistics in health systems, leadership, human resources and labour relations and implementing and managing information and technology. Specialized courses are offered through eight weekend-long sessions from September 2009 to May 2010 (one weekend per month excluding December);
4. Electives in an area of interest to the student;
5. Executive projects in which candidates address an issue or challenge facing the British Columbia Nurses' Union (these projects to be approved prior to implementation by BCNU).

Qualifications
Applicants must demonstrate a history of activism in progressively senior levels of commitment to BCNU. Qualifications for acceptance into the MBA program include:

1. Eight or more years of work experience, preferably with three at a senior leadership level;
2. Academic qualifications: a bachelors degree (such as B.Sc. in Nursing, R.N., or equivalent).
   If the applicant does not have a bachelors degree they may be asked to write a GMAT or equivalent challenge exam to assess their ability to meet the academic requirements;
3. Demonstrated proficiency in English.

Application/Selection Process

1. Applicants should submit a detailed curriculum vitae including work experience, union experience, and academic background.
2. A letter outlining why you wish to take the program, listing your strengths, three letters of reference (one professional) and two proposals for research projects should accompany the CV.
3. Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified.
4. Submit CV and reference letters by August 29, 2008 to Colleen McFadden at the BCNU office.

The Interview

1. Selected candidates will be asked to attend an interview with BCNU representatives and a member of the Admissions Committee of UBC. Candidates will be asked a number of questions and will be required to present an outline of one of their research projects to the panel. Interviews will last approximately one hour with an additional half-hour at the end of the interview to present research ideas.
2. Candidates can expect to be advised by BCNU within thirty days of the interview if their application has been successful.

The Commitment
BCNU will provide:

1. UBC application fee;
2. Program tuition fees, including books;
3. Assistance in implementing research projects.

Successful candidates will provide:

1. A five-year commitment to leadership at BCNU (may include research projects);
2. Their own travel and living arrangements;
3. Their own expenses (i.e. no wage replacement will be offered);
4. Study time (estimated to equal the amount of class room time).

For further information

1. Visit the UBC website for MBA program details.
2. Contact Colleen McFadden or call 1.800.663.9991.