Internationally educated nurses (IENs) are a vital component in addressing nursing shortages in Canada, yet many continue to face a long and difficult licensure process before they can practice, particularly in the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada. This study explored the experiences of IENs navigating the licensure process in British Columbia. Guided by Meleis’ Transitions Theory, this study used an interpretive descriptive qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 IENs at different stages of the licensure process and the data were analyzed thematically. Seven themes emerged: navigating uncertainty and bureaucracy, the paradox of institutional recognition, migration bottleneck, redefining professional identity, bridging programs and supervised practice as high-stakes gatekeeping, the role of support and mentorship, and financial implications. The findings showed that the challenges faced by IENs in BC reflect broader structural issues across immigration, nursing regulation, education, and the health workforce integration systems. A more coordinated, transparent, and supportive licensure process is needed to reduce unnecessary delays and strengthen IEN integration into practice. Future research should examine the long-term effects of recent licensure reforms in BC, follow IENs across the full licensure-to-workforce transition, and explore how mentorship, bridging education, and supervised practice influence licensure outcomes and professional integration.
Munachiso Cynthia Azode (Thu,) studied this question.