International nursing professionals who have migrated to Canada will benefit from new governmental assistance programs
The Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services Program (PASS), offered by the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses, is a valuable resource for nurses educated abroad who are planning to immigrate to Canada or are already in the country. This federally funded program aims to help internationally educated nurses (IENs) integrate into the Canadian labor market.
To be eligible for the PASS program, nurses must have completed a recognized nursing education program in their country of residence and have been approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to immigrate to Canada.
The application process involves creating an account on pass4nurses.org, specifying whether you're in or outside Canada and seeking pre- or post-arrival services, and sharing your educational, professional, and clinical specialty details, among other things. Once your application has been reviewed by a PASS case manager, you will be contacted with the next steps.
The PASS program offers a range of services to support IENs. Online communication courses, totaling 84 hours in length, are designed for nurses who meet a Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or 6. These courses focus on language and communication skills specific to the nursing field, helping nurses to navigate verbal and non-verbal cross-cultural communication, Canadian nursing vocabulary and abbreviations, inter-professional practice, and more.
Mentorship support is another key aspect of the PASS program. The nurse mentors in the program hold CNA certification and have a minimum of three years of work experience in their specialty. This personalized guidance is customized by destination province and/or nursing specialization.
The PASS program also provides guidance on obtaining licensure through provincial regulatory bodies and helps with licensure exam preparation. Live and recorded webinars cover topics such as the nursing registration process in different provinces, the Canadian healthcare system, current labour market trends, and alternative non-licensed positions.
Post-arrival, case managers can also suggest additional support measures to aid in the settlement journey. These may include introductions to fellow IENs, guidance on relevant online resources, and referrals to provincial support services based on arrival timeline. The PASS program also offers employment referrals and interview assistance.
In addition, the PASS program accepts various documents as proof of permanent residence confirmation, including the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), a single-entry PR Visa, a PR Visa pick-up notification letter, a passport request letter indicating PR Visa issuance, an IRCC request that you complete a PR medical examination, and an IRCC invitation to obtain pre-arrival services.
The PASS Pre-Arrival Program is for nurses located outside Canada with a confirmation of permanent residence, while the PASS Post-Arrival Program is a newcomer service for nurses currently in Canada. The federally funded PASS programs are offered by the Canadian government through provincial health or immigration ministries, such as the Ontario Ministry of Health or Immigrant Services in various provinces. However, the exact organization offering the PASS program may vary by region.
In summary, the PASS program offers a comprehensive suite of services to support internationally educated nurses in their transition to Canada. From communication courses and mentorship programs to licensure guidance and employment assistance, the PASS program is an invaluable resource for IENs.
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