Today marks the beginning of National Nursing Week (May 12–18, 2025) and International Nurses Day, a meaningful opportunity to recognize the compassion, dedication, and positive impact of nurses across B.C. Aligning with this year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health,” BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) celebrates the important role that nurses play in delivering person-centred care and advocating for seniors’ well-being across the full continuum of care.

BCCPA welcomes the recent announcement by Hon. Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, on a streamlined credential recognition for U.S.-trained nurses, reducing wait times and strengthening the province’s nursing workforce. This is a significant step forward in meeting the growing needs of our aging population.

To further support a strong and diverse nursing workforce, BCCPA developed an Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Toolkit in June 2024. This toolkit aims to help employers as they navigate the intricate journey of internationally educated nurses in obtaining registration or licensure in B.C. BCCPA also launched the Practical Nurse (PN) Access Training Program last year to help meet the growing demand for skilled nurses and create more opportunities for health care assistants seeking to advance their careers in the sector.

Whether a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or registered psychiatric nurse, BCCPA thanks all nurses for their deep commitment to care. We are immensely grateful for their profound impact in the lives of seniors and their families today and every day.