Facebook Groups

Below are links to public Facebook groups where nurses discuss licensing, registration, and employment-related issues in British Columbia and other jurisdictions.

These groups contain a wide range of individual experiences, opinions, and discussions. They are presented here to provide additional context and allow readers to explore these conversations directly.

International Nurses in Canada

(25.4k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/437634443055386

Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) in Canada - NNAS, RN, RPN, LPN

(4.5k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1113712069055246

Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) in BC, Canada

(2.6k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/181281025756527

IENs Of BC

(2.2k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/163328140521972

Internationally Educated Nurses of British Columbia

(1.9k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/267273423351535

Canadian Nurses in the USA (NURSES HELPING NURSES)

(43.6k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/22325870067

International educated nurses in Canada & USA

(1.9k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/273554365017489

IEN (International Educated Nurses) British Columbia

(under 1k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/782556532621438

IEN-Internationally Educated Nurses/PSWs

(under 1k members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2789616384675452

BC Health Care Matters

(12.3k members)
(We have heard reports of strong censorship there with only vetted views and people allowed to post, so we have an impression that views expressed there may be heavily biased)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bchealthcarematters

Recurring Experiences Reported by Applicants

The following excerpts are from public discussions where nurses share their experiences with licensing and registration in British Columbia. These reflect recurring themes reported by multiple applicants.

Consistent outcomes after assessment

“The outcome is the same every time: not eligible, re-entry or BScN. No gaps identified, no tailored pathway.”

Questioning the purpose of assessments

“If the outcome is the same, what are we actually being assessed for?”

“We spend months preparing and hundreds of dollars, and still end up in a re-entry program.”

Lack of transparency

“There seems to be limited transparency around how applicants are guided through the process.”

“It’s difficult to understand how to prepare or what specific gaps are being identified.”

Mismatch with real clinical experience

“Experienced nurses are being assessed against broad general standards that don’t reflect their actual practice.”

“Specialized experience doesn’t seem to be recognized in a meaningful way.”

Experience requirement as a barrier

“You need 1,125 hours of recent practice outside BC or you are not eligible.”

“Without current experience, there is no pathway forward except re-entry.”

Existing experience not recognized

“I’ve worked as an LPN for years. Result: re-entry.”

“Previous work experience doesn’t seem to reduce the requirements.”

"have 17 years clinical experience in Europe as a rn. I’m so confused to see at this level of my life, I still need to prove that I’m good enough to take care of patients. ... but why so much complicated steps? We lose so much time and ..money. Why they don’t do like a universal program of 6months in supervised clinical for example?! How can we prove in 25 min, our compassion, our knowledge , our strengths when we have to deal under stress, in a new environment , ... how can we be comfortable reading in 5min a patients chart with multiple documents we never saw before?
… it cost you months of studies,..again! And I saw so many local nurses here that should go back to school because of dangerous situation that I witnessed while being at the emergency as a patient!! ... I’m a nurse and was able to stop couple mistakes! … sorry, lot to say but I feel like they make it so hard on us."

Complexity and uncertainty of the process

“It’s too complicated, with no clear pathway to move forward.”

“Even after completing requirements, there’s still uncertainty about what comes next.”

"Bccnm decision, lpn take specific 4courses/subjects + 1 clinical. Re entry or Bsc. Pay it first when you finished they will reimburse but no clear pathway on how to get a work permit for it."

Lack of Common Sense

"...it’s a joke that the assessments are so broadly based across nursing as a whole. I’ve worked in surgical my entire career and we barely touch on Mat/Paeds/Psyche in Ireland under general as they’re all their own bachelors degrees. The fact that I am being assessed on these when I have zero intention to work in those specialities is beyond me."

Sense of desperation and giving up on BC

"I’m an LPN for few years already. No RN recent practice. Results : re entry which is sad. It’s totally a waste of my time, effort and money to register here in BC."

"This is the Canadian way of registration, convoluted and riddled with bureaucratic red tape. It is as if they don't need IENs, or that their healthcare system is not straining under the weight of severe nurse shortage.