Notice
New Regulatory Management System Now Live Read

College of Registered Nurses Officially Launches New Process to Broaden Pathways to Practice for National & International Nurses

Approximately two years ago the College initiated an independent, internal review of the processes used to license national and international nurses. The purpose of this review was to analyze regulations and operational policies; to identify where we could eliminate duplications, remove redundancies, and uncover areas where a more structured and streamlined approach could be developed. The results of this review, along with amendments to the Nursing Regulations, have enabled the College to establish a new process which will broaden pathways to practice for national and international nurses.

Our new approach was launched today, June 5th, 2023, and will result in an expedited pathway for applicants who have been educated in jurisdictions where the nursing education and regulatory framework align with that of Canada’s. The identified countries currently include: The United States, The United Kingdom, India, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. *It is expected that additional countries will be added to the identified countries list as the jurisdictional analysis by the College continues.

Working in collaboration with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, legislative amendments and operational reforms will aim to significantly expedite processing times and substantially reduce wait times for Canadian Nursing Applicants, Identified International Nursing Applicants (educated in one of the 7 countries listed), and General International Nursing Applicants.

  • Changes for Canadian Nursing Applicants will reduce processing time from 2-6 weeks to 24-72 hours. The approximate time from application to a nurse practising will be reduced from 2-6 weeks, down to 24-72 hours.
  • Changes for Identified International Nursing Applicants will reduce processing and wait times from 6 months to over a year to 5-7 days. The approximate time from the start of an application to a nurse practising will be reduced from over a year, down to 2-4 weeks.
  • Changes for General International Nursing Applicants will reduce processing and wait times from over a year down to 5-7 days. The approximate time from the start of an application to a nurse practising is expected to be reduced from over a year, down to 6 months.

“These historic reforms have been made using a balanced and methodical approach which will result in a more efficient and effective pathway for nurses to practice in our province. We are pleased to establish this process at a time when RNs are needed in our public health system, while also ensuring that the standards of care, which Newfoundlanders and Labradorians depend upon, remain unchanged.”

Lynn Power Executive Director College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Government is proud to collaborate with the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador to make the registration and licensing processes easier for nurses who we are recruiting. These nurses are filling vacancies in the system, lightening the workload for our current nurses, and improving care for patients.”

Honourable Tom Osborne Minister of Health and Community Services

The College is routinely approached by nurses who are looking to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador and, as the largest health care regulator in the province, we are also cognizant that a shortage of Registered Nurses exists in our public health system. It is estimated the reforms we have adopted will result in a 92% faster process for the majority of nurses applying to our province.

At a time when our health care resources are in high-demand and short-supply, the College is pleased to enact these regulatory reforms which will aim to broaden access to safe, ethical, and competent care for all Newfoundlander and Labradorians.

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