(May 10, 2023) — UCP candidate for Calgary-Varsity Jason Copping issued the following statement on news that Alberta recruited more nurses than ever before:
“Under the United Conservatives, Alberta has seen the largest recruitment of nurses in our province’s history.
“Further, the UCP Health Workforce Strategy launched several initiatives to attract more internationally trained nurses (IENs) to Alberta to help meet the urgent health care needs in the province. Since April 2023, the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) has seen two and a half times the number of registered nurses processed than in the past four years combined.
“Our plan is working. 1,413 new internationally educated nurses call Alberta home.
“Alberta has the best front-line health care workers in the world and the United Conservatives are working to have the right supports in place to ensure Albertans get the care they need when and where they need it.
“As part of that strategy, our United Conservative government worked collaboratively with CRNA to start the “triple-track” assessment pilot project with a $200,000 grant. The pilot assesses the skills and abilities of IENs and matches them with the three occupational nursing categories – Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and Health Care Aide (HCA) – and allows them to start practicing immediately.
“We know there are thousands of health care professionals across the world and a United Conservative government will continue to remove barriers for those who want to live and work in Alberta. By streamlining the accreditation process, internationally-trained RNs, LPNs, and HCAs can begin practicing sooner and Albertans can have greater access to the health care they need.
“The UCP thanks CRNA and a re-elected UCP government will continue to work with them and their colleagues to move Alberta forward and reduce the barriers to certification. By working in partnership with health care professionals to transform the health care system to meet people’s needs, support Albertans with the high cost of living, keep our communities safe and drive the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.”
