VIDEO: How Internationally Educated Nurses Can Thrive in Canada
This blog article highlights the collaboration between PASS and New Canadians TV Network, their work in supporting internationally educated nurses (IENs) with credentialing, registration, and integration into the Canadian healthcare system, and the personal experiences of IENs navigating the registration process. Key services offered by PASS include resume and interview preparation, case management, webinars, and mentorship. The blog also discusses the importance of persistence, adaptability, and ongoing professional development.
Collaborative Efforts: Supporting Internationally Educated Nurses through Canada’s Pre-Arrival Programs
Canada’s 16 free pre-arrival programs funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), recognize the power of partnerships in supporting their clients to re-establish their lives and careers in this country. CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses’ (IENs) Pre-Arrival Supports and Services or PASS program is the only program funded to exclusively help IENs destined for Canada. One of PASS’ long-time partners is New Canadians TV Network; their collaboration dates back to 2017 when the launch of PASS was their focus on OMNI TV.
Exploring Nursing Journeys: PASS Panel Discussion on Café New Canadians
PASS more recently recorded a panel discussion for a new online show, Café New Canadians. The program brings together newcomers and people working in settlement, to discuss current issues and paths to thrive in their new country. The panel, moderated by Shruti Dargan in conversation with PASS Co-ordinator Meghan Wankel and PASS members Richard Asare, Osama El Dik, and Vandana Nurkoo, recounts the nursing backgrounds of the IENs from Ghana, Lebanon via Saudi Arabia, and Mauritius respectively.
Internationally Educated Nurses in Canada: Overcoming Credentialing Challenges with PASS Support
Asare has spent over 20 years in practice, earning additional master’s degrees and becoming a mental health nursing professor. He arrived in Canada in June 2024 and is still in the credential assessment process. El Dik arrived in July and has 21 years’ nursing experience and a master’s degree; he is currently pursuing education to meet competency gaps and working under a temporary RN license. Nurkoo has over a decade of nursing experience and has completed her registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario. PASS assists with resumes, cover letters and interview preparation. However, the first and most crucial step is to get credential assessment completed.
“The credentialing process is complex to say the least,” noted Wankel. “Canada does not yet have a pan-Canadian harmonized nursing assessment process, so IENs need to meet the licensure requirements specifically with the regulator in their destination province. PASS offers case management and webinars designed for workforce integration, imparting familiarity with the Canadian healthcare sector, nursing roles and scopes of practice and linguistic norms in healthcare.”
“You have to keep your focus and you have to keep your spirits up,” says El Dik about the whole registration process, no matter your previous experience. “It can be exhausting at some points, but you have to keep motivated and keep pushing.”
Agrees Asare, “My piece of advice is don’t have at the back of your mind whatever qualifications you acquired back home. Be humble, subject yourself to the requirements and definitely you will get to your dream.”
Nurkoo is bilingual in English and French and has been working in Quebec while seeking RN employment in Ontario. “When I came to Canada I didn’t have much difficulty with communication and building trust with a patient because I’ve been doing it so long, but my journey to registration was much more difficult.”
Looking for More Support?
Wankel cautions, “There is a five-year safe practice window across the country, but only three in Ontario, so IENs should keep working as long as possible.” There are different interventions to update currency of practice available. Wankel also flags language requirements, jurisprudence and registration exams, police checks, all the mandatory requirements for registration. PASS can assist IENs to secure non-regulated roles in healthcare while in the registration process.
“All the panelists were very modest in their introductions, all three’s resumés are just unbelievably impressive,’ says Wankel. “It can be frustrating to work in a smaller scope of practice temporarily, but people are still able to contribute their knowledge and skills. Nurses in particular have many transferable skills that can be applied to different professional contexts.” PASS offers a mentoring program with Canadian Nurses’ Association members across the country who can also assist with employment and professional development opportunities.
“Ongoing professional development is always a big thing for nurses in Canada, a lot of nurses actually say the reason they came to Canada is because of the diverse settings they can work in and the opportunities for career growth,” says Wankel. “I always tell people, keep an open mind and let employers know how adaptable and flexible you are.”
3 Tips for Immigrating Nurses before arriving in Canada
Are you an Internationally Educated Nurse planning to immigrate to Canada?
The Pre-Arrival Supports and Services Program (PASS), funded by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, is here to support your journey!
The PASS pre-arrival program is for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who are still living outside of Canada and have been approved for permanent immigration to Canada.
Here are 3 PASS Program tips for Internationally Educated Nurses before arriving in Canada:
- Research and understand the Canadian nursing regulatory process: When you join the PASS pre-arrival program, your Case Manager will help you to familiarize yourself with the steps in the nursing assessment process and registration requirements in the province where you plan to settle. You should launch your assessment process far in advance of your arrival to Canada, as documentation submission and assessment can take some time. Every province has a timeframe in which you must either study or work as a nurse before your practice is considered out of date. Keeping these safe practice timeframes in mind, it is also a good idea to work as close to your departure date as possible, maximizing the amount of time that you have to get through this process.
- Understanding Canadian nursing designations and scopes of practice: Review the nursing competencies in the province or territory where you will be living and working. While participating in PASS, you can explore and learn about diverse clinical settings, while familiarizing yourself with the Canadian nursing and healthcare culture. Access opportunities to connect with mentors and nurse leaders pre-arrival, including through the PASS Program. Nurses in Canada have incredible opportunities to access a variety of roles in a broad array of settings, be they in hospitals, long-term care, community-based or home-care, research, education, research and, travel, etc. After you achieve your Canadian registration, “the world is your oyster!”
- Enhance language proficiency for registration and workforce integration: Along with meeting the English or French proficiency requirement for nursing registration in Canada, a high level of language fluency is necessary to understand Canadian communication norms and for successful integration into the health sector. Creating and maintaining an empathetic relationship that is required for interdisciplinary teamwork and patient-centred care involved cultural knowledge in these areas and a sophisticated use of language.
Achieve Your Goals with PASS
- Receive guidance, answers and encouragement from a dedicated Case Manager
- Understand the credentialing assessment process, Canadian healthcare system, and valuable educational and employment opportunities
- Connect with expert nurses in Canada through the PASS mentorship program, in partnership with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
Real Stores, Real Results
Over 1700 nurses have accessed PASS pre-arrival services since 2016, with destinations across Canada.
Join the PASS Community
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to access Canadian nursing information. Register for the PASS pre-arrival program today and become part of a community of IENs from around the world.
Take the first step towards a successful nursing career in Canada with PASS!
Do you know an Internationally Educated Nurse immigrating to Canada? Help them by sharing this information about the PASS pre-arrival program!
Register to watch : October 3
In this session of the Café New Canadians virtual talk show, produced by New Canadians TV Network in collaboration with the Pre-Arrival Supports and Services Program (PASS), we will discuss tips, preparation, pathways and support for internationally educated nurses to thrive in Canada.
You will also learn about the PASS Program for internationally educated nurses in their countries of residence who have been approved for immigration to Canada. This live panel discussion is free and will be hosted virtually on October 3rd from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm EDT.
To register to join us for this live session, please visit the New Canadians website by clicking here.
Note: You can ask questions to our speaker(s) live during the session. Or, send your queries to us beforehand at contact@newcanadians.tv with a reference to the topic of the session in the subject line of your email.
What are pre-arrival services?
Pre-arrival programs can help you get information on how to move to, live and work in Canada.
Pre-arrival programs assess your needs and create a personalized plan to help you settle in Canada. They’ll connect you with any other pre-arrival services you need and with organizations for services you can get after you arrive in Canada.
You and your family may access free in-person and online services to help prepare for and adjust to life in Canada. We call these pre-arrival services.
Pre-arrival services can help you to:
- prepare for your move to Canada
- get your education, work experience and credentials recognized in Canada
- connect with employers to find a job
- connect with free services after you arrive in Canada
You can access all of these IRRC services for free before your arrival in Canada.
You can receive pre-arrival services, if:
- we approved your permanent residence application
- you’re currently outside Canada
- you have one of these documents:
- a letter from IRCC saying you can get pre-arrival services
- a confirmation of permanent residence letter
- a passport request letter that indicates permanent resident visa issuance
- a letter from IRCC asking for your medical exam results
- a single-entry permanent resident visa
- a letter from IRCC letting your know you can pick up your permanent resident visa
You can’t get pre-arrival services if you’re coming to Canada for a short time. For example, temporary residents visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit don’t qualify for pre-arrival services.
Programs to help you find work
Many programs can help you prepare to find work in Canada. They can help you:
- search for and find employment
- write your Canadian-style resume
- learn about Canadian workplace culture
- find a mentor with experience
- prepare to get your foreign credentials recognized
Pre-Arrival Program for Internationally Educated Nurses
The PASS pre-arrival program for Internationally Educated Nurses can help nurses access sector-specific information and prepare to work in Canada’s health care field. This includes information on:
- the Canadian health care system
- the nursing registration process
- regulatory bodies
- schools
- workplace practices in health care
- mentoring with Canadian nurses
Welcoming Week 2024
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About Welcoming Week
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