Monday May 12, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 3:01 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
New streamlined credential recognition means nurses from the United States can now work in BC, said Premier David Eby in an announcement this morning in Victoria.
The process will be quicker — with registrations taking only a few days — compared to the previous average as long as four months. That was also emphasized by Health Minister Josie Osborne today.
“American health-care professionals are increasingly drawn to B.C. as a place that supports science, protects reproductive rights and takes care of people no matter how much money they have in their bank account,” said Premier David Eby.
“That’s why I’m delighted to see that our new, fast-tracked credential recognition has cut registration time from months to just days and is bringing in new U.S. nurses to strengthen our public health system and deliver better care for British Columbians, faster.”
Eby was keen to point out in his presser today at the Victoria PCN Allied Health Centre on Johnson Street that the recruitment ad campaign for new nurses will be released in three key northwestern US states: Oregon, Washington, and “select cities in California”. The ad campaign will begin in early June.
The ad theme will entice skilled health professionals (doctors and nurses) for the lifestyle that BC offers including outdoor recreation.
Increased applications:
Since launching the new, streamlined process, applications from the U.S.-trained nurses have increased by 127%. The BC College of Nurses and Midwives is leveraging common systems and exams to make the registration process more efficient.
Nurses can now apply directly to the college without first going through a third-party assessment organization. Collaborating with counterparts from the U.S., the college can access a database to review the education, exam results, employment and registration history of nurses who apply.
“With the uncertainty and chaos happening south of our border, we have an opportunity to attract the skilled health-care workers our province needs to strengthen public health care. That’s why we are ramping up our recruitment efforts in the U.S. and streamlining regulatory processes,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“And we are already seeing results with an increase in nurses applying to work in British Columbia and help deliver care.”
Since announcing its coordinated recruitment campaign in March 2025, nearly 1,200 nurses, doctors and allied health professionals from the United States have expressed an interest to come work in the province. This includes 573 physicians, 413 nurses, 133 nurse practitioners and 39 allied health professionals.
The appeal of universal health-care:
U.S. nurses, doctors and allied health professionals arriving in B.C. will be able to work in a variety of health-care settings throughout the province, including in primary care, where they can be part of team-based care.
“Their work will be valued and their principles respected,” it was emphasized strongly today by Eby and Osborne.
An example is the Victoria Primary Care Network Allied Health Centre that opened in its new location at 1025 Johnson St. on April 24, 2025. Family doctors and nurse practitioners, who are part of the Victoria Primary Care Network, can have registered nurses to support them in their practices. Family physicians and nurse practitioners can refer their patients to the centre if they need services from clinical pharmacists, dietitians, social workers or mental-health and substance-use consultants. As well, Indigenous wellness providers, who are working from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, are helping people access the allied health centre.
Health Match BC:
The Province says it is taking a Team BC approach to recruiting health-care workers from the U.S. and is working in collaboration with health authorities, regulatory colleges and other partners.
This includes tailored support and guidance in navigating the process, provided free by Health Match BC. Recruiters are highlighting job opportunities for U.S. nurses in the areas they are the most needed, such as cancer care and emergency departments, as well as rural communities facing health-care worker shortages.
“This new and upgraded allied health centre is the result of government, Island Health, the City of Victoria and the local Division of Family Practice coming together to grow team-based care capacity and is tailored to the needs of the community through ongoing engagement,” Osborne said. “This is another action we are taking ensuring patients get the team-based care they need, when they need it, close to home.”
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto was in attendance at the media announcement today.
Emcee:
Today’s event was emceed by Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care.
That produces a nod to addressing seniors’ care in BC (as the population ages), though it wasn’t mentioned specifically today.
Government links:
- B.C.’s measures to attract doctors, nurses from U.S.: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0013-000194
- Health career opportunities in B.C: https://bchealthcareers.ca/
- B.C.’s actions to strengthen health care: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/health-care/
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: BC 43rd PARLIAMENT | HEALTH & SAFETY