CARE Centre for IENs Opens Office in Windsor

Internationally Educated Nurses and Community Better Served
with Local Staff and Resources

For Immediate Release
January 16, 2012

In its continued expansion to better serve Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) throughout Southern Ontario where new immigrant communities are settling, CARE Centre for IENs is pleased to announce the official opening of its Windsor office, 647 Ouellette Ave., Suite 201 at WEST of Windsor. A celebration will take place from 12:00 – 1:30 pm on Friday, January 27th in the new premises. The office launch follows a busy tenth anniversary year for CARE Centre in 2011, with the organization celebrating the successful registration of over 1,000 nurses from more than 140 countries over that decade.

“CARE Centre has been operating in Windsor Essex County for a number of months, and the reception from the community has been extremely positive with IENs settling here being able to access our services,” said Executive Director Zubeida Ramji. “It’s one of our priorities to reach out to IENs in various communities and offer services locally so they are able to participate in nursing courses and obtain the supports to meet the requirements for registration in Ontario. This way IENs can remain in the communities where they have chosen to settle and find nursing employment. With Ontario certification and their diverse backgrounds reflective of our increasingly multi-cultural health care settings, our graduate IENs are very well prepared for front line practice and patient advocacy.”

“The Ontario government is pleased to support organizations like CARE Centre that help newcomers put their skills and knowledge to work. With the opening of this new office, they will be able to help even more newcomers get the training and support they need to succeed. When newcomers succeed, we all succeed,” said Charles Sousa, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Media and those interested CARE Centres’ services are invited to attend the office opening to meet Windsor Case Manager Domine Rutayisire and receive more information. Settlement agencies, health care organizations and others who want to know more about the programs and supports that CARE Centre provides are welcome to meet and network at the event. There will be a cake cutting and light refreshments will be served.

“It’s been wonderful to meet the dedicated IENs who have joined CARE Centre since we started serving clients here, as Windsor continues to attract a growing multi-cultural population and increases a range of health care services,” said Case Manager Rutayisire. “We’re eager to spread the word to all internationally educated nurses that we can help them achieve their Ontario credentials through our custom action plan and specialized programs.”

IENs who join CARE Centre have received an assessment from the College of Nurses of Ontario and a Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment, and either have received or applied for permanent residency status in Canada. They receive their education through college and university partners, such as St. Clair College in Windsor, as well as opportunities and support from health care institutions and community groups including the International Health Professionals Steering Committee and WEST of Windsor. CARE Centre supports IENs who come from a wide range of countries, including the Philippines, India, China, Iran, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, as well as many nations in the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a not-for-profit professional organization funded by the Government of Ontario. Ontario receives support for some skills training programs from the Government of Canada. CARE Centre recognizes the unique skills and experience of internationally educated nurses and assists them in updating their credentials to meet Ontario standards for Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses, obtain employment, advance in their careers, and contribute to health care excellence in Ontario. CARE Centre achieves these goals through case management support, nursing-specific language education, exam preparation, mentoring and networking. CARE Centre is a registered charity (charitable number 84420 5948 RR0001).

For all media inquiries please contact:

Tina Novotny
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
45 Sheppard Ave East, Suite 512
Toronto, Ontario M2N 5W9
416-226-2800 ext 240

Funded by:

Ontario receives support for some skills training programs from the Government of Canada