B.C. fast-tracks process for U.S. nurses to get registered in province

The province is making it easier and faster for nurses from the U.S. to get registered in B.C., in an effort to bring more health-care workers north. 

During a news conference on Monday, Premier David Eby said "uncertainty" related to U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration creates an "opportunity" for the province to recruit much-needed doctors and nurses. 

Eby said American health workers thinking about coming to B.C. will be valued, respected and will have the opportunity to care for people based on what they need, not on their earnings. 

"You'll be part of building healthy communities in the best place on earth, and you are very welcome here," he said. 

"President Trump's loss is British Columbia's gain."

American nurses can apply to the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives without first going through a third-party assessment organization. The province says collaboration with counterparts from the United States means the B.C. college can now access a database to review the education, exam results, employment and registration history of nurses who apply. 

Eby said the new process for registering American nurses now takes just a few days, as opposed to waiting months to be able to work. 

Since launching its new process for U.S. nurses in early April, 177 people have applied to work in B.C. and 113 have received their registrations to practice, Eby added. The province said applications from U.S.-trained nurses are up 127 per cent. 

Rachel Smith-Taylor, an American nurse, said she recently visited Nanaimo, where she was "deeply moved by the community's warmth and hospitality."

Now, she's pursuing registration as a nurse in B.C.

"The experience reinforced my aspiration to contribute to Canada's health-care system as a registered nurse."

Smith-Taylor said she doesn't have a timeline to begin practising in B.C., adding that her partner is also a nurse. 

Eby pointed to the active lifestyle and variety of communities and employment settings available for those considering coming north to work in health care. 

Eby faced repeated questions from reporters asking whether B.C. can match nurse salaries in the U.S., but did not answer.

Health Minister Josie Osborne did jump in to say physician salaries in B.C. are "quite comparable" to those in the U.S.

The province is also launching a targeted U.S. marketing campaign in June in parts of the country with the highest interest in moving to B.C., including Washington and Oregon states and select cities in California.

The province previously announced plans to recruit U.S. doctors earlier this year. Eby said the province will provide an update on those efforts at a later time.