The Province says more than 140 U.S. doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals have accepted job offers in BC since May, and more are on the way.

In a release, the government says increasing numbers of American health-care professionals are looking north since B.C. began making it easier for them to work here.

The number of job applications received from U.S. health-care workers has doubled to more than 1,400 in the last four months.

“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 launched a recruitment campaign targeting health-care workers in Washington, Oregon and select cities in California in June and July.

The campaign continues through advertisements placed in academic publications in the U.S. through September.

Among other things, the BC government launched a new, expedited credential recognition process for U.S.-trained and certified nurses.

535 U.S. nurses and 104 nurse practitioners have registered with the BC Colleges of Nurses and Midwives to practice in B.C.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC also made it easier for U.S.-trained doctors to practice in B.C. without the need for further assessment, examination or training.

Since then, 29 U.S.-trained physicians have been registered through the college.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.