BC is seeing a notable rise in US health-care professionals relocating to the province, with the recruitment campaign and recent regulatory changes driving more interest.
Since May of this year, more than 1,400 job applications have come from American health-care workers, which is double the previous amount.
Over 140 qualified doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals have already accepted offers to work in BC.
“Health-care workers want to be in a system where their skills are valued, science is respected and their focus is on providing care — not fighting with for-profit insurance companies,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“That’s why we’re seeing incredible momentum with hundreds of American health-care workers on their way to B.C. and some already here. For people in British Columbia, this means shorter wait times, stronger team-based care and better health services in communities across the province.”
The province started a recruitment campaign earlier this year aimed at Washington, Oregon, and parts of California. It ran ads in the summer and continued in US medical publications into the fall.
Since March, over 2,950 health-care workers have visited the BC Health Careers website to show interest in relocating to BC.
Some who have already relocated say the transition has been smooth.
“Our family made the move to Kamloops this summer and we already feel at home,” said Dr. Olga Decker, who began practising at Royal Inland Hospital in July.
“Health Match BC and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC made it possible for me to start practising quickly. I’m grateful for the warm Canadian welcome and I’m excited to build a life here.”
Another nurse, Nickol Dameron, will be joining Arrow Lakes Hospital in Nakusp this November.
“Since February, I have been working with HealthMatch BC, and they’ve made the process of moving from Alaska very smooth and made me feel valued and welcomed at every step,” she said.
To support the increase in health-care needs, the province has speeded up credential recognition for US-trained nurses. This allows 535 nurses and 104 nurse practitioners to register with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives.
For doctors, changes to bylaws have allowed 29 U.S.-trained physicians to start practicing in BC without needing more assessments or exams.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons is also looking into more changes to make registration easier for specialists from other recognized areas.
Additionally, BC has lifted the requirement for internationally trained doctors outside North America to pass the licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada exam.
These actions are part of what the province calls its “Team BC” approach. Health authorities, regulatory colleges, local governments, and communities are working together to fill health-care vacancies.
“With growing uncertainty in the US, more American health-care workers are drawn to BC as a place that believes in science, protects reproductive rights and provides universal health-care coverage,” Osborne said.
Specific stats on how many doctors and nurses from the US have begun working on Vancouver Island.
