Calls for B.C. to take action to help internationally-educated nurses get to work
With health-care workers sick and burnt out amidst the ongoing pandemic, B.C. is facing calls to do more to ensure internationally-educated nurses can join the workforce.
Emma Beaumont completed a nursing program at Brigham Young University in the United States in April of last year.
Despite writing the same test as Canadian nurses, she says she's been waiting since August for a response from the National Nursing Assessment Service. The agency is responsible for credentialing of nurses in Canada.
"You're forced to just sit by and kind of watch everything implode, knowing you could do something but your hands are tied," she told CTV News in an interview.
She passed the test and got licenced in Utah. Beaumont then returned to her hometown of Abbotsford, B.C., and applied to the NNAS in August.
She was told it could take 12 weeks.
In the meantime, she applied for, and got, a position at Royal Columbian Hospital as a casual employee. But she can't work there without going through the steps to be credentialed.
"It's disheartening to have to sit on the sidelines knowing you could make a difference. Albeit a small one. But you could make a difference in this health-care crisis we are experiencing."
She said she knows she wouldn't be working on the front lines, but could help in some way to alleviate the nursing shortages making headlines.
A provisional system is available in B.C., but internationally-educated nurses like Beaumont need to get their NNAS documentation first.
Beaumont contacted MLA Mike De Jong who wrote to Health Minister Adrian Dix. In his letter he noted, "I am advised that, starting immediately, internationally-educated nurses will be allowed to work in Ontario hospitals, long-term care homes and other health settings grappling with pandemic related staffing challenges."
He's now urging B.C. to do the same.
"Every day on this newscast, and in newspapers, we hear about the struggles nurses and health-care workers are confronted by, in terms of burnout and the challenges of the pandemic, and yet nothing appears to have been done to tap into this talent pool," he explained in an interview.
Even though the Health Ministry isn't in charge of credentialing, the MLA suggests there may be other ways to expedite the process.
"Make use of the emergency powers that exist as other provinces are doing to ensure that people like Emma can go to work."
Dix was not available for an interview and the Health Ministry didn't respond by deadline.
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives estimates between 300 and 400 nurses trained outside the province apply for credentials each year.
Beaumont, who has taken a different job while she waits for approval, says she wants to highlight that this is an issue.
"I'm just hoping that we can spread awareness that there are nurses who are eager and willing to support the system and get to work. And we're kind of sitting with our hands tied," she added.
When Beaumont receives her NNAS assessment, she'll have to go through the provincial process to get her credentials recognized, which could take another 10 weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Terrifying': Manitoba resident speaks on wildfire and evacuation
As a pair of wildfires burn near Flin Flon and The Pas, a number of Manitobans are being told to evacuate their homes.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
DEVELOPING Michael Cohen takes the stand as testimony in Trump hush money case enters 4th week
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: Traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.