New changes to make it easier for international nurses to work in Manitoba

The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba is updating its processes to make it easier for nurses educated internationally to work in the province.

The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba has modernized its registration process for internationally educated nurses.

On Wednesday, the college announced the following updates are now in place:

• Broadened eligibility to expedite registration for applicants registered as RNs in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States;
• Acceptance of a range of associate degrees from the United States for applicants with sufficient RN experience;
• Updated practice requirements; and
• The creation of a registration pathway coordinator position.

The college also said that by early fall it plans to make further changes, including the expanded use of conditional registration, acceptance of additional educational credential assessment services, and the creation of an application pathway for internationally educated nurse practitioners.

According to Deb Elias, the college’s CEO, the changes will help nurses get on the register and into the workplace more quickly.

“This could take it from months to hopefully weeks, which is what I’m anticipating, but it does very much depend on the applicant and their specific situation,” she said.

The college noted it is continuing its work to streamline the application process and that further initiatives are underway.