Dec. 16, 2022
The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) is committed to reducing barriers for internationally educated nurses (IENs) to practise nursing. IENs represent ten per cent of the nurses with permits to practice in Alberta. As a regulator, our role is to serve the public interest. We adapt to, and anticipate change, to serve Albertans best.
In the past five years (2018 to 2022), there has been a 429 per cent increase in the number of applications from IENs. From January to November, there was a 59 per cent increase in applications from 2021.
An increase in applications did not equal an increase in wait times. The CRNA has been working hard to streamline our processes, and we have been decreasing the average wait time for applicants. From 2020 to 2021, we decreased the wait time for assessment by 20 per cent. We further decreased wait times in 2022 by another 48 per cent and we are on track to continue this trend.
We want to make it easy for nurses to choose Alberta. Ninety-four per cent of IEN applicants have a pathway to practice in our province. We work to ensure applicants receive a fair assessment, and recent updates to our processes have resulted in individuals receiving a permit quicker.
This year, the Philippines was the top educator of applicants from outside of Canada, accounting for 40 per cent. India was second, with 37 per cent of applicants obtaining their education there. Other top countries included Australia and the United States.
This data does not represent nurses currently working in Alberta, only how many have registered with the CRNA. Some may be on leave, working in a different position or practising in another jurisdiction.
Data dated Jan. 1, 2022, to Nov. 4, 2022.
Are you interested in other data? The CRNA publishes statistics annually.