New Brunswick is speeding up the registration process for internationally-educated nurses.

The Nurses Association of New Brunswick has approved new pathways for nurses from 14 countries.

It will cut the time to become registered to work within the province from 12 to 18 months to as few as 14 days.

Health Minister Bruce Fitch commended the work being done by the nurses association in a news release.

“With the significant number of internationally educated nurses now entering our system, this expedited registration process is certainly a game-changer for New Brunswick,” said Fitch.

“Reducing the amount of time that international nurses work in non-equivalent roles such as personal support workers after their arrival will help bring timelier relief to our health-care providers who continue to face staffing challenges related to nurses.”

The expedited process will apply to nurses coming from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco and Lebanon.

According to the association, those countries represent three-quarters of all international nurse applicants to New Brunswick.

“The Nurses Association of New Brunswick will continue to respond to the public’s need for health care, by assessing our processes, innovating, and finding solutions with our partners, while remaining fair to our applicants,” CEO Denise LeBlanc-Kwaw said in the release.

“We remain acutely aware of our obligation to the public to ensure we regulate nurses, who have the required education and competencies to work as registered nurses and nurse practitioners.”

All internationally educated nurses are still required to successfully complete an entry-to-practice exam.

In addition, some may have to complete additional training, including coursework and clinicals.

The association expects to put these changes into operation over the coming weeks.