Interior Health Sees Surge in International Nurse Recruitment

Interior Health (IH) is experiencing a notable increase in interest from foreign nurses, a development that officials hope will enhance healthcare services and reduce emergency room closures throughout the region. The health authority’s recruitment efforts, particularly aimed at attracting internationally educated nurses, have gained momentum since a targeted campaign began in 2023.

Cheryl Whittleton, IH’s Chief Nursing and Allied Health Officer, reported to Castanet that there has been “way more interest” from nurses looking to relocate to the area compared to previous years. “Since 2023, when there was a concerted effort, we’ve hired over 152 nurses across our geography, and we have 13 more who will be starting with us in the next two months,” she stated.

Traditionally, many internationally educated nurses who moved to British Columbia settled in the Lower Mainland, which has been a focal point for recruitment initiatives, particularly from regions like the Philippines. Recently, IH has also benefitted from recruitment drives targeting nurses in California. Nurses are now arriving not only from the U.S. and the Philippines but also from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, among other countries.

Whittleton attributes the surge in interest to recent improvements in compensation and working conditions. The latest collective agreement includes pay raises and establishes new minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. “This new investment in setting some standards on how many patients a nurse can have has been a huge draw for nurses to come to our province,” she added.

Impact on Emergency Services

The recruitment of these nurses is expected to significantly impact emergency services in the Interior Health region. Whittleton noted that many emergency room closures are linked to the availability of nursing staff. “Our goal is to stop those service reductions or cancellations, and also keep emergency departments open,” she explained.

Residents often face long journeys to access necessary medical care due to these closures. “Given the wide geography of Interior Health, our recruitment efforts are aimed at preventing that inconvenience for our community members,” Whittleton said. She emphasized that creating attractive communities is essential for drawing qualified healthcare professionals.

“When potential employees first look at a community online and see mostly negative information, it discourages them from wanting to live and work there,” she remarked. This highlights the partnership between Interior Health and local communities to stabilize healthcare service provisions and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.

To ensure the success of its recruitment initiatives, IH is committed to following up on every lead it receives. Whittleton noted that the recruitment strategy encompasses not just nurses, but also other healthcare workers, including physicians, physiotherapists, healthcare aides, and lab technicians.

As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, the proactive measures taken by Interior Health demonstrate a commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for the residents of British Columbia.