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.

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: https://newcanadians.tv/pass-nurses-pre-arrival-guide-canadian-labour-market/

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.

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.”

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.” To watch the full PASS Café New Canadians panel discussion on YouTube, visit https://youtu.be/tLrmrvrymUs. More information on PASS is available on the website at www.pass4nurses.org.