U.S. Nurse Inspired to Move to B.C. After Visiting Nanaimo: ‘We Need to Feel Safe’

After attending a welcoming event for Americans in Nanaimo, B.C., Texas-based nurse Rachael Smith-Taylor says she’s seriously considering making the move north with her wife and children — a decision driven largely by rising political tension in the U.S.

"I'm a wife in a same-sex marriage needing to get out of a red state," Smith-Taylor said in a recent interview. The couple, both nurses, live in Texas with their three children and say the re-election of Donald Trump intensified concerns about their family’s future.

The visit was sparked by a viral TikTok video from Canadian marketing professional Tod Maffin encouraging Americans to explore Nanaimo. Smith-Taylor took the opportunity to visit the city, tour the local hospital, and learn more about British Columbia’s new streamlined licensing process for American nurses.

Her experience, she says, reaffirmed her desire to contribute to Canada’s health-care system. “It was a huge relief to know there’s a way for us to move and still support our family.”

British Columbia says it has seen a 127% increase in nurse applications from the U.S. since rolling out a simplified immigration and licensing pathway earlier this year — a program aimed in part at filling health-care gaps and welcoming qualified professionals.

While Smith-Taylor and her wife haven’t moved yet, they’re already planning ahead. With one child still in high school, they’re exploring ways to manage a transition while keeping their family stable.

“It’s not just about money,” she said. “It’s about peace of mind — knowing we’d be safe, have access to health care, and be part of a community that supports us.”

Though the cost of living differences between Canada and the U.S. are a factor for many, Smith-Taylor says that’s not what matters most. “We’ve had to talk to our kids about what it might mean to leave, to seek safety. That weighs heavier than taxes.”

If all goes well, the family hopes to make the move in the near future — even if it means doing it in stages. “In a perfect world, we’d already be there,” she said. “We know Nanaimo is where we want to be.”