Partner Focus: CoursePark Online Nursing Courses Meet CE Requirements
CoursePark is an online learning company with a range of over 140 individual nursing courses for CARE Centre members and outside subscribers to advance in the profession. CARE Centre members receive a specially discounted enrollment fee. The relationship with parent company BlueDrop Performance Learning came through CARE Centre’s connection to the Conference Board of Canada, which profiled CARE Centre in 2012 (you can read the document here: conferenceboard.ca/e-library/abstract.aspx?did=4894). Lori Connors, BlueDrop’s Director of Managed Communities, agrees the learning partnership is a great benefit to members: “CARE Centre is a natural partner for CoursePark’s online nursing curriculum as we are able to provide a platform that offers great courseware presented in a simple user experience with access available 24-7. We are pleased that our CoursePark service is being leveraged to offer training and provide additional value to CARE Centre members, allowing them to continue to practice and excel in their chosen profession.”
All courses are recognized by the Canadian Nurses Association (as well as l’OIIQ in Quebec and the American Nurses Credentialing Center) for elective and mandatory Continuing Education requirements. Once you’ve signed up you can take as many courses as you wish at no additional cost. The usual hours for completion are listed, but you can complete the courses at your own pace. CoursePark delivers powerful yet remarkably intuitive and accessible professional development opportunities. Participants will receive a certificate for each course completed. Nursing courses cover topics including clinical and administrative functions — an excellent way to build your knowledge – and your résumé! Read more about CoursePark.
Program Focus: New Online Language Course Helps CARE Centre Pre-members
Internationally educated nurses who want to study language and communication in the Canadian nursing context now have a new online course to meet their needs. Language and Communication for Nurses Foundations was created by CARE Centre as an extension of the organization’s bridging philosophy to help IENs along their journey to registration in Canada. Many IENs arriving in Canada are assessed at a Canadian Language Benchmark of Level 5 or 6, which means they need more English-language education and practice to achieve a Level 7, the pre-requisite for membership in CARE Centre. “A Level 7 allows IENs to accelerate their customized action plan to complete the course-work they need to be ready to sit the College of Nurses of Ontario exam,” said CARE Centre’s Regional Manager Joanne Roth, who oversees the Language Program. “With the new regulatory changes at the CNO, including a three-year safe practice window and two-year registration completion deadline, IENs need to get up to speed at a CLB Level 7 as quickly as possible.” The course is built around four foundations: language, grammar, communication and culture. The digital instruction is augmented with feedback from CARE Centre LCN teachers and is an excellent first step toward accessing all of CARE Centre’s services and support in gaining RN or RPN registration. LCN Foundations requires a minimum of 35 hours of independent study to be completed in six months and costs $175 (Cdn.)