Nurses receive support to join BC’s health system more quickly
January 15, 2023
Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour –
“Nurses dedicate their lives to caring for patients and educating the public about health care. We need more nurses in our province, now more than ever. As a registered nurse, I’m overjoyed that the government is taking further steps to recruit the nurses who were trained overseas and the nurses in this province that want to continue to practice nursing in BC Today’s announcement of more support for them is such a wonderful news.”
Cynthia Johansen, registrar and CEO, BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) –
“Internationally educated nurses face many challenges as they navigate finding employment in BC’s health-care system, including a lengthy and costly process to register as a nurse. With support from the BC government, the new pilot pathway will remove barriers to registration, enabling an IEN to enter BC’s health-care workforce more quickly without compromising public safety.”
Rita Parikh, executive director, Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS) –
“NCAS is excited to play a role in improving the registration process for IENs. Using innovative, evidence-based practices, NCAS will assess an IEN’s education, language proficiency and nursing competence all before an applicant goes to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives. Our new process will help paint a clear picture of an applicant’s readiness to practice in Canada and support regulators in making registration decisions more efficient.”
Aman Grewal, president, BC Nurses’ Union –
“The BC Nurses’ Union is pleased to see the government building on its efforts to help streamline the process for internationally educated and trained nurses to find work here in BC, first announced in the spring of last year. We know that these nurses bring valuable experience, skills and knowledge to a health-care system that is in desperate need. We are optimistic about these investments to remove barriers for not only IENs, but also those interested in returning to practice will encourage qualified nurses to stay in the profession they love and help provide care to patients across the province.”
Jennie Arceno, registered nurse and IEN –
“My journey to becoming a registered nurse in BC after practicing for five years in the Philippines was long, exhausting and expensive. I was inspired to advocate for changes to the system so other IENs wouldn’t have to face the same challenges. The start of this new pathway will surely help more IENs and goes on to show how the government is committed to addressing the long waits to get registered.”
Monique Wee, registered nurse and IEN –
“I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my nursing license in BC and get a nursing job. The changes announced today will make the whole process so much easier and more affordable, which will inspire more IENs to practice in BC The knowledge and experience that IENs have will prove to be an extremely valuable asset to the BC nursing workforce. I am glad the BC government values us.”