Mission & History | CARE | Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses

Mission of the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses

To enable internationally educated nurses to join and excel in their chosen profession in the shortest time possible. We are a multi-partner initiative that invents, co-ordinates and delivers flexible, client focused education and support services.

The Centre is motivated by a passionate commitment to creating practical and accessible pathways for newcomer nurses to join Ontario's nursing profession.

History of the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses

In the late 1990's, a group of health and social service agencies noticed a disturbing trend: a high number of internationally educated nurses who had immigrated to Ontario were unable to practice their profession because of significant barriers in meeting registration requirements for registered nurses and practical nurses in Ontario.

Move ahead a couple of years and the funding for a project called CARE (Creating Access to Regulated Employment) for Nurses is announced by the provincial Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities. The purpose of this pilot project was to develop, implement and evaluate a sustainable bridge training program for internationally educated nurses living in Ontario. This program was aimed at increasing access to the nursing profession for this group of highly skilled nurses already living in Ontario. The partnership that gave rise to the program consisted of: St. Michael's Hospital, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, Kababayan Community Centre and WoodGreen Community Services. Helping and advising this group were other organizations including the College of Nurses (CNO), the Maytree Foundation, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO), the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) and the Nursing Secretariat.

CARE for Nurses first opened its doors to clients in the fall of 2001. Right from the start, there was a huge demand for the courses and support services being offered. The goal of the program was clear. CARE for Nurses was going to double the success rate for internationally educated nurses (IENs) writing the registration exam from 33% to 66%.

Although an ambitious target, by the end of the 2003, over 200 nurses had signed up for the CARE program and successfully passed the registration exam. Because of this success, the Government of Ontario extended CARE's funding in 2003. In short, we discovered that this new and innovative approach worked.

CARE for Nurses continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of internationally educated nurses amidst changes in the entry to practice requirements. Services offered to the community of internationally educated nurses have expanded and improved. In November, 2004, the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities announced expanded funding for CARE for Nurses. In addition to providing support to IENs living in the Greater Toronto Area, CARE is now able to assist nurses living in the Hamilton/Niagara region of Ontario. The official opening of our CARE office in Hamilton was held in November, 2005.

With the expansion of the program came other changes. CARE for Nurses registered as an incorporated organization and is now officially the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses. The mission of the Centre is to enable internationally educated nurses to practice and excel in their chosen profession in the shortest time possible. The CARE Centre continues to be a multi-partner initiative that invents, coordinates and delivers flexible, client focused education and support services.

Since the fall of 2001, the CARE Centre has served over 600 internationally educated nurses representing over 70 countries. Many of these nurses are now working within the health care system in Ontario and bringing insight and experience that has helped various health care institutions serve an increasingly diverse community.

One internationally educated nurse who completed her training with CARE summarized it best. "From my point of view the CARE project is like a lighthouse giving me direction and helping me pass the registration exam. I was put on the right path in being able to achieve my goal of working as a nurse in Canada."


	HOME UPCOMING EVENTS NEWS & ARTICLES JOIN THE CARE CENTRE ABOUT THE CARE CENTRE Our Services Courses & Workshops History & Mission Partners & Supporters RESOURCES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT US		Mission & History Mission of the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses To enable internationally educated nurses to join and excel in their chosen profession in the shortest time possible. We are a multi-partner initiative that invents, co-ordinates and delivers flexible, client focused education and support services. The Centre is motivated by a passionate commitment to creating practical and accessible pathways for newcomer nurses to join Ontario's nursing profession. History of the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses In the late 1990's, a group of health and social service agencies noticed a disturbing trend: a high number of internationally educated nurses who had immigrated to Ontario were unable to practice their profession because of significant barriers in meeting registration requirements for registered nurses and practical nurses in Ontario. Move ahead a couple of years and the funding for a project called CARE (Creating Access to Regulated Employment) for Nurses is announced by the provincial Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities. The purpose of this pilot project was to develop, implement and evaluate a sustainable bridge training program for internationally educated nurses living in Ontario. This program was aimed at increasing access to the nursing profession for this group of highly skilled nurses already living in Ontario. The partnership that gave rise to the program consisted of: St. Michael's Hospital, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, Kababayan Community Centre and WoodGreen Community Services. Helping and advising this group were other organizations including the College of Nurses (CNO), the Maytree Foundation, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO), the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) and the Nursing Secretariat. CARE for Nurses first opened its doors to clients in the fall of 2001. Right from the start, there was a huge demand for the courses and support services being offered. The goal of the program was clear. CARE for Nurses was going to double the success rate for internationally educated nurses (IENs) writing the registration exam from 33% to 66%. Although an ambitious target, by the end of the 2003, over 200 nurses had signed up for the CARE program and successfully passed the registration exam. Because of this success, the Government of Ontario extended CARE's funding in 2003. In short, we discovered that this new and innovative approach worked. CARE for Nurses continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of internationally educated nurses amidst changes in the entry to practice requirements. Services offered to the community of internationally educated nurses have expanded and improved. In November, 2004, the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities announced expanded funding for CARE for Nurses. In addition to providing support to IENs living in the Greater Toronto Area, CARE is now able to assist nurses living in the Hamilton/Niagara region of Ontario. The official opening of our CARE office in Hamilton was held in November, 2005. With the expansion of the program came other changes. CARE for Nurses registered as an incorporated organization and is now officially the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses. The mission of the Centre is to enable internationally educated nurses to practice and excel in their chosen profession in the shortest time possible. The CARE Centre continues to be a multi-partner initiative that invents, coordinates and delivers flexible, client focused education and support services. Since the fall of 2001, the CARE Centre has served over 600 internationally educated nurses representing over 70 countries. Many of these nurses are now working within the health care system in Ontario and bringing insight and experience that has helped various health care institutions serve an increasingly diverse community. One internationally educated nurse who completed her training with CARE summarized it best. "From my point of view the CARE project is like a lighthouse giving me direction and helping me pass the registration exam. I was put on the right path in being able to achieve my goal of working as a nurse in Canada."