When Rosita Nadela, LPN at R.W. Large Memorial Hospital, first decided to come work in Bella Bella she didn’t quite know what to expect – but she quickly settled in and is now sharing her experience of living in a beautiful island community.

“When I first came to Bella Bella, the first thing I noticed was the fresh air and ocean view from the hospital and my accommodation. The following day I woke up with a direct view of the ocean, mountains and green trees across the water. Each patient room even overlooks the ocean and I can only think that it helps keep the environment peaceful.”

Rosita is one of the nurses that recently came from Vancouver to work on the Central Coast. “In Vancouver, I work in an acute setting on an Orthopedic ward. The idea of going to Bella Bella sparked my interest because it gave me an opportunity to understand the receiving and transfer of care from a rural community to a city.”

When asked about the transition from working in Vancouver to Bella Bella, Rosita says the variety of work keeps things interesting each day. “Going from a city to a rural hospital has been an exciting change because of the different areas of care I work with in the rural setting. I get to apply my skills as an LPN in acute, long term and the ER department,” says Rosita.

New casual Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) opportunities

If you are or know an LPN looking for a new challenge and adventure in a beautiful community outside of the city, check out the new casual Licensed Practical Nurse opportunities (short and long term) in Bella Bella and Bella Coola on our e-postings site, posting # 089658.

Housing, meal allowance and travel are provided. LPNs who have completed a recognized program for Practical Nurses and have current full practicing licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (CLPNBC) plus current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate are encouraged to apply.

Check the E-posting site now

All VCH qualified LPNs are eligible to express an interest for this opportunity;  preference will be given to casual employees at this time.

About the communities and hospitals

Bella Bella is a beautiful island community on the central coast of British Columbia, 690km north of Vancouver, with a population of about 1500 people. It is surrounded by a magical world of channels, inlets and old growth forest and is home to salmon, orcas and other denizens of the Pacific Northwest. The RW Large Memorial Hospital in Bella Bella has 9 acute beds, 6 residential beds and a 3-bed emergency department open 24/7, along with a laboratory, diagnostic imaging services and telehealth services. Also within the hospital is a medical clinic and pharmacy.

Bella Coola sits in a mountain valley at the head of the North Bentinck Channel, 500 km north of Vancouver, with a population of about 1800 people. The community is at the end of a long, truly magnificent fjord, on the mainland coast of British Columbia. Bella Coola General Hospital has 10 acute bed, 5 residential beds and a 3 bed emergency department open 24/7, along with a laboratory, diagnostic imaging services, Telehealth, Mental Health, Public Health, Home & Community Support Services.  Also within the hospital is a medical clinic and pharmacy.

More information

For more information on nursing opportunities in Bella Bella and Bella Coola, please contact

Margaret Shaikh, Recruitment Advisor at (604) 675 2500 local 21978 or email margaret.shaikh@vch.ca

Read more

Read more about a nurse’s perspective on living in beautiful Bella Bella.