A nurse working in the United States is currently in the process of moving to B.C. to work as a nurse and said the province’s new credential program has made it easy for her to do so.

Rachel Smith-Taylor said that she recently visited Nanaimo and was “deeply moved” by the warmth and hospitality.

She visited the Nanaimo Hospital during that visit.

1:25 U.S. nurse explains why she wants to move to and work in B.C.

“As an internationally-educated nurse from the United States, I’m actively pursuing licensure through the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives,” Smith-Taylor said.

“I’m encouraged by the province’s initiatives to streamline this process, including the financial support for credentialing assessments and bridging programs.”

Smith-Taylor said she wants to bring her skills and knowledge to the B.C. health-care system.

In March, the province announced it would be fast-tracking credential recognition for doctors from the U.S. and speeding up licensing for American nurses.

The goal is to get more health-care workers in B.C. at a time when the medical system needs more professionals.

The province also launched a targeted ad campaign in the U.S. aimed at attracting health-care workers frustrated with the political turbulence south of the border.

This follows a similar plan seen in Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to remove barriers faced by U.S. doctors on their path to becoming licensed and beginning to practise medicine in the province.

4:04 ‘You will be valued’: David Eby reports on efforts to attract U.S. health-care workers to B.C.

B.C. Premier David Eby said applications from U.S. health-care workers to the B.C. government have increased by 127 per cent since the new campaign.

“What we’re seeing is Americans making that decision about how to balance the life that they want to live and where they want to live, with the work that they do and the impact they have in their community,” Eby said.

He did not address a question about salary for U.S. health-care workers, as salaries are generally higher in the U.S.

One hundred and seventy-seven nurses have applied since the implementation of this new program, and 113 have already been granted registrations since March.

“In terms of what we’re sharing with nurses and other health professionals is, we’re trying to share a variety of health environments, rural communities, undeserved communities, acute care environments, long term care, we’re trying to be informed about what the nurse’s own interests are in terms of practice, as well as the lifestyle that the nurse is looking for as a more urban environment is at a smaller community,” Eby said.

Smith-Taylor is not sure of her timeline and that the details are a little “hairy.”