B.C. fast-tracks process for U.S. nurses to get registered in province
The province of British Columbia is ramping up its efforts to attract more health-care workers from the United States by streamlining the registration process for nurses. Premier David Eby announced during a news conference on Monday that the province is making it easier and faster for American nurses to get registered in B.C. in response to the uncertainty created by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
Eby emphasized that American health workers considering a move to B.C. will be valued, respected, and provided with the opportunity to care for people based on their needs rather than their earnings. He extended a warm welcome to American nurses, stating, “You’ll be part of building healthy communities in the best place on earth, and you are very welcome here. President Trump’s loss is British Columbia’s gain.”
Under the new process, American nurses can apply directly to the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives without the need to go through a third-party assessment organization. The province has established collaboration with counterparts from the United States, allowing the B.C. college to access a database to review the education, exam results, employment, and registration history of nurses who apply. This streamlined process now takes just a few days, significantly reducing the waiting time for American nurses to start working in B.C.
Since the implementation of the new process in early April, 177 American nurses have applied to work in B.C., with 113 already receiving their registrations to practice. The province has seen a 127% increase in applications from U.S.-trained nurses. Premier Eby highlighted the success of the initiative and emphasized the province’s commitment to addressing the health-care worker shortage by recruiting talented professionals from across the border.
One nurse considering a move to B.C. is Rachael Smith-Taylor from Belton, Texas. She and her wife, Lisa, both nurses, are contemplating relocating to B.C. following the re-election of Donald Trump, which raised concerns about their family’s safety in a red state. After visiting Nanaimo and experiencing the warmth and support of the community, Rachael and Lisa are considering making the move permanent to contribute to Canada’s health-care system.
While the immigration process may be complex and time-consuming, with Rachael describing herself as being on “step four of 502,” the couple is encouraged by the support available from Health Match B.C., a recruitment service funded by the province. The province is also launching a targeted U.S. marketing campaign in June to attract more health-care workers from states like Washington, Oregon, and select cities in California.
Overall, British Columbia is actively seeking to recruit U.S.-trained doctors and nurses to address the health-care worker shortage and provide quality care to its residents. The province’s efforts to streamline the registration process and provide support to incoming health-care professionals reflect its commitment to building a strong and diverse health-care workforce.
