A faster registration process for internationally-educated nurses is being welcomed in the province.

The Nurses Association of New Brunswick recently 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.

The New Brunswick Multicultural Council applauded the changes in a news release on Tuesday.

“This is a significant milestone in New Brunswick’s journey towards a more inclusive healthcare system,” executive director Maura MacKinnon said in the release.

The council said the initiative sets an “inspiring example” for other regulatory bodies and highlights the importance of a multicultural and inclusive environment in regulated professions.

For now, 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 nurses association, those countries represent three-quarters of all international nurse applicants to New Brunswick.