“Access to Employment for Internationally Educated Professionals”
Nursing in Ontario
Ruth Wojtiuk, Professional Practice Lead
November 26, 2013
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Working in Ontario
To work as a nurse in Ontario requires
registration with the
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
www.cno.ca
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ONTARIO
A preferred destination for Internationally Educated Nurses.
2012
9,900 new registrants - General Class: 4,947 RNs and 4,953 RPNs.
• RN – Internationally Educated .............................. 13.0% (643)
• RPN – International Educated .............................. 24.2% (1189)
An RN increase of 3.2 % over 2011
An RPN increase of 10.5% over 2011
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2012 CRNE/CPRNE Pass Rates
•RNs educated outside of Ontario: 35.3%
•RPNs educated outside of Ontario: 60.4%
CNO – Nursing Registration Exams Report 2012
With CARE:
•RNs/+ RPNs educated outside of Ontario:
80%
CARE – Centre for Internationally Educated nurses – 2012/13 Annual Report
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CARE Centre
for Internationally Educated Nurses
An expert inter-professional team of Case
Managers help immigrant nurses successfully
move from pre-registration to achieving
registration and nursing employment in Ontario.
http://www.care4nurses.org/
Community based, Not for Profit Organization funded by Ontario Government
and the Government of Canada
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CARE Centre Program Model
Case
Management
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CARE Centre
Membership Criteria
• Eligibility letter from the College of Nurses
of Ontario (CNO)
• Permanent resident, landed immigrant,
convention refuge, Canadian citizen, Livein Caregiver (with proof of PR application)
• CLBA level 7777 or ELTS 6.5
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2012-2013
251 CARE IENs REGISTERED
(148% OF TARGET)
146 CARE IENs EMPLOYED
(99% OF TARGET)
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IEN Challenges
REGISTRATION
SETTLEMENT
INTEGRATION
November 26, 2013
COMMUNICATION
EMPLOYMENT
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2013 Changes to the Registration
Process
1.
Additional assessment methods to determine academic
equivalency (OSCE)
2.
Safe practice timeframe reduced from 5 to 3 yrs.
3.
Additional jurisprudence exam.
4.
Fluency tests reduced to 3 (CELBAN, IELTS, TEF)
5.
New – 2 yr. deadline to meet requirements
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How Does CARE help
REGISTRATION
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CNO Navigation
Assessment for knowledge gaps
Development of customized plan
Examination Preparation and Review
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How Does CARE Help
COMMUNICATION
“Issues of language skills are more complex than whether or not IENs can speak English;
because health care has many expressions and phrases that may be ambiguous or
confusing to outsiders…”
College of Nurses of Ontario
Project Report – 2007
Learn From My Experience
 on-line foundations for CLBA 5 & 6
nursing specific workplace language/communication courses
enhanced communication for OSCE
soft skills
IELTS preparation
Accessible - face to face, video conferencing and on-line
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Employment Trends
Rising Employment for RPNs
In 2011 Ontario experienced an overall increase in
nursing employment of 0.6% over 2010.
• RNs Employed in Ontario – 2011
of 0.5 % over 2010.
• RPNs Employed in Ontario - 2011
of 3.4 % over 2010.
Source: CNO Membership Highlights 2011
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How Does CARE Help
EMPLOYMENT
One in 10 nurses working in Ontario today was educated outside of Canada. Many
foreign- educated nurses are underemployed or have turned to other jobs because of
obstacles and barriers they faced while attempting to practice here.
Internationally Educated Nurses: An Employers Guide (2012) - Baumann. A & Blythe.J
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Pre-registration Employment
Enhancing Employability
Observational Job Shadowing
Employment Strategies Workshops
Reference Letters
Alumni network
Professional Development
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How Does CARE Help
INTEGRATION
An increased demand for a workforce that provides culturally, and linguistically, relevant
quality care, makes it imperative that care is delivered by a diverse team that can
address the complex needs of clients entering the Ontario care system.
College of Nurses of Ontario
Project Report – 2007
Learn From My Experience
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Experience + Confidence+ Support
Case Management Support
Observational Job Shadowing
Sector Specific Communication Courses
Professional Development
Alumni Networking
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How Does CARE help
SETTLEMENT
To be accepted into the new society, normally newcomers have to change their thinking,
behaviour, habits, social norms, and their former way of life. We can help them by
understanding their struggle and assisting them in their settlement.
Victoria Immigrant & Refuge Centre–
Annual Report 2010
 Case management
- Holistic approach/philosophy
- Cultural orientation
- Role modeling
 Referral relationships with settlement agencies and community
resources
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Collaboration Strategies
Goals
Champion
2 – way
WIN
WIN
SUPPORT
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Collaboration
CARE Centre collaborates across service, academic and employment sectors
to support IENs.
•HFO – cross referrals pre & post CNO application
•Language and Communication for Nurses (LCN) - in acute and long term care
settings. i.e Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care
•Revera Home Health - developed and implemented a Community Nursing
Readiness Assessment tool.
•Hamilton Health Science Centre - IEN/ESL Nurse Integration Program
•OHA/NHSRU’s series of workshops for employers of IENs, following the
launch of their website with resources to facilitate IEN integration.
•WIL Employment Connections - Employment Strategies for Nurses program
•Observational Job Shadowing opportunities for IENs
•CIIP – pre and post arrival support
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What do IENs say about CARE
• “The support I received was most important. It was this constant
guidance and splendid support that really helped me to get through.
And through the network of the CARE Project I met others who were
like me and had the same goals as me.“
• "From my point of view the CARE project is like a lighthouse giving
me direction and helping me pass the exam...I was put on the right
path in being able to achieve my goal of working as a nurse in
Canada.“
• "Without the program I don't know where I would be today. I would
probably have eventually received my registration and found a job
nursing, but not for a long time. Without the CARE program, I would
not have my license today and I would not be working."
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