Latest Increase to Nurses’ Registration Fees Unacceptable

College registration fees have increased yet again for nurses in BC. In December, the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) announced a 15 percent increase to the annual registration fees for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) with new fees amounting to $600.24 for the 2023-24 practice year.

BCNU President Aman Grewal has sent a letter to Yvonne Savard, chair of the BCCNM Board responsible for approving this increase, calling out the extraordinary increases shouldered by LPNs, RNs and RPNs working in BC over the years.

Grewal makes the point that the high cost of registration adds further strain to nurses already feeling overwhelmed, having worked critically short-staffed and under the extreme demands of a crumbling health-care system. This additional financial strain only adds insult to injury for nurses given the above realities.

On Jan. 9, 2023, Premier David Eby’s government acknowledged the significant financial barriers for internationally educated nurses wanting to pursue a nursing career in BC and for those interested in returning to practice. BCNU supports the funding and support for IENs/those returning but wonders why the same considerations have not been extended to the thousands of working nurses - especially when rising fees are demoralizing for all, and the government is trying to implement provincial recruitment and retention strategies.

The increase amounts to nearly $4-million dollars in additional revenue for the College. Grewal is seeking a meeting with the BCCNM Board to review the strategic necessity for the 2023-24 year to better understand the justification for such a staggering increase.
 
Members are encouraged to take action and write to Yvonne Savard, BCCNM Board Chair, at governance@bccnm.ca to join the call for more consideration of working nurses when it comes to annual registration fees.