British Columbia has drastically reduced registration wait times for U.S.-trained nurses from four months to just days, driving a 127 percent increase in applications from American healthcare professionals seeking to work in the province.
The new streamlined credential recognition process allows nurses to apply directly to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives without first going through a third-party assessment organization.
“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.
Since announcing a coordinated recruitment campaign in March 2025, nearly 1,200 U.S. healthcare professionals have expressed interest in working in B.C., including 573 physicians, 413 nurses, 133 nurse practitioners and 39 allied health professionals.
Registration barriers removed
The college is now accessing a shared database with U.S. counterparts to review education credentials, exam results, employment history and registration status of applicants.
“By focusing on the similarities of nursing in Canada and the U.S. and leveraging an existing system, we’ve streamlined the application process for U.S. nurses, while maintaining the safeguards that protect the public,” said Louise Aerts, acting registrar and CEO of the BC College of Nurses and Midwives.
Since implementing the new process in early April 2024, 177 nurses have applied to the college and 113 have received registration to practice in B.C.
Marketing campaign targeting key states
Health Minister Josie Osborne said the province is leveraging political uncertainty in the United States to attract much-needed healthcare workers.
“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,” said Osborne.
The province plans to launch a targeted marketing campaign in early June focusing on Washington and Oregon states, along with select California cities where interest in relocating to B.C. is highest.
Health Match BC is providing free guidance to help U.S. healthcare professionals navigate the application process, with recruiters highlighting opportunities in high-need areas such as cancer care, emergency departments, and rural communities.
New allied health centre opens in Victoria
The recruitment effort coincides with the opening of the expanded Victoria Primary Care Network Allied Health Centre at 1025 Johnson St. on April 24, 2025.
The centre enables family doctors and nurse practitioners to work alongside other healthcare professionals including registered nurses, clinical pharmacists, dietitians, social workers and mental health specialists.
“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,” said Osborne.
An estimated 12,000 in-person patient visits and approximately 3,000 virtual visits are expected annually at the centre, which operates Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“Working in a team-based care setting has been a game-changer. It enhances patient access to our clinical team and ensures that each concern is handled by the clinician with the most relevant expertise,” said Dr. Anna Mason, family physician and chair of the Victoria Primary Care Network Steering Committee.
Between 2018 and 2024, B.C. registered approximately 15,900 additional nurses, bringing the total to about 75,400 nurses registered with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives by the end of 2024.
