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ByMark Piercey

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 Every province has a timeframe in which you must either study or work as a nurse before your practice is considered out of date.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!

ByMark Piercey

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.

ByMark Piercey

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

ByMark Piercey

Welcoming Week 2024

Welcoming Week is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people, places and values that help everyone feel welcome and give them a sense of belonging in their local community, no matter where they come from.

About Welcoming Week

Welcoming Week is an annual campaign and celebration to showcase the movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants.