The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced over $260,000 to support the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador with expediting the licensure process of International Educated nurses applying to work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This funding will support the nursing regulators with:

• Implementing a call-answering service contract to allow both organizations to respond to inquiries related to recent regulations;
• Creating a Registration Support Assistant position to facilitate processing of applications and to provide guidance and support for Internationally Educated Nurses; and
• Implementing an incentive program through Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) to assist with costs associated with the National Community Assessment Service Program for eligible candidates.

The funding is aligned with recent amendments to the Registered Nurses Regulations, which will streamline the registration and licensing process for registered nurses and make it easier for nurses educated outside the province, including Internationally Educated Nurses, to work in Newfoundland and Labrador. The funding also aligns with Health Accord NL recommendations to improve recruitment and retention of health care professionals.

In 2021, the College of Registered Nurses received funding through the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills to open a satellite location to provide education credential reviews, language proficiency reviews, and competency assessments to help regulators make evidence-based registration decisions.

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“This funding will ensure the College of Registered Nurses and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses are equipped to effectively streamline licensure and registration processes in line with the recently announced Registered Nursing Regulations. Recruiting Canadian and International nurses will increase the available pool of licensed RNs and LPNs, which will lighten the workload for our current nurses and improve care for patients.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Our government has long recognized how internationally educated newcomers are critical to meeting the demands of our rapidly evolving labour market. Increasing licensure of internationally educated nurses is helping to meet labour challenges in health care, while removing barriers to settlement, as more newcomers than ever before are choosing this welcoming province to live, work and raise a family.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“The enhancement of initiatives to increase licensure of internationally-educated nurses is wonderful news for Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. It gives us an opportunity to support nursing staff and to rebalance nursing workloads, while continuing to provide timely and continued access to quality care throughout the province.”
Joanne Pelley
Vice President – Chief Operating Officer, Central Zone & Provincial Chief Nursing Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

“The College of Registered Nurses has focused its efforts on reforming, improving, and modernizing the traditional processes used to license Internationally Educated Nurses. These efforts have resulted in considerable improvements to date, and it’s expected that further reforms will be identified as we move forward. The support from the Provincial Government will facilitate our work in this area and aim to provide benefits for RNs and all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Lynn Power
Executive Director, College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador has reviewed its registration requirements to transition from its traditional process to a streamlined model. The revised process will support effective and timely licensure of Licensed Practical Nurses from other Canadian jurisdictions, as well as Internationally Educated Nurses. Although streamlined, this process will continue to focus on licensing nurses who will support the Newfoundland and Labrador health system by providing safe, competent nursing care. This important work is facilitated by support from the Provincial Government.”
Wanda Wadman
CEO and Registrar, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador

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