Canadian province actively engages foreigners

The Canadian province of Saskatchewan is developing a fast, effective program for internationally educated nurses. The procedure now takes a few weeks instead of a year.

These changes offer more opportunities and support for nurses from overseas who want to join hospitals and clinics in Canada.

“Our made in Saskatchewan approach ensures our province will continue to lead the nation as one of the fastest, most supportive and most efficient places for internationally educated nurses to become licensed and gain employment in health care," Health Minister Paul Merriman said. “By focusing on a safe, balanced approach to licensing and integration into the workplace, as well as providing robust settlement supports, Saskatchewan will continue to be a preferred destination for health-care workers from around the world.”

Saskatchewan became the first province in Canada to implement a simplified and expedited training, assessment and licensing system for foreign workers last 2022 fall. Currently, there are 53 people from overseas and 9 people who already live in Saskatchewan in the bridging program.

This program reflects the strong partnerships forged between the Ministries of Health and Minister of immigration. The process includes professional Career Training and Advanced Education, as well as the collaborative efforts with the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS), the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN), Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

“The CRNS is supporting the IEN recruitment mission by reviewing processes and making or supporting efficiencies where safe to do so,” College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan Executive Director RN Cindy Smith said. “While leaning on our values of collaboration and accountability, the CRNS maintains our mission to protect the public through regulatory excellence.

A shorter bridging program that will build on an applicant’s existing knowledge but also provide solid grounding and orientation to the Saskatchewan health-care system, reducing the transition process from approximately one year to 14 weeks.

Seminars, foreign language instruction, additional training materials, and assistance in finding housing will be provided for prospective nurses. In addition, the program involves expenses for foreign specialists, which include transportation, lodging, and other expenses.

“Nursing professionals are in great demand, and we support the Government of Saskatchewan helping nurses who have received training outside of Canada enter the province’s health care workforce more quickly,” Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said.

The provincial government will continue to work closely with partners, regulators and institutions of higher education as this major initiative is developed and implemented.

“Saskatchewan is to be congratulated for introducing a truly innovative approach that supports IENs to enter the nursing workforce quickly and fully prepared,” National Nursing Assessment Service Executive Director Gayle Waxman said. “The pilot project demonstrates Saskatchewan has successfully removed barriers that IENs faced.  Steps that previously took years are now being completed in days and weeks.  NNAS is pleased to be part of this effort to create a faster transition process that supports IENs to be successful nurses in Saskatchewan.”

Major budget investments for 2023-2024 include a total state investment of nearly CAD 100 million. The CAD 11.9 million investment will continue supporting work underway to recruit internationally educated health care workers, including regulatory assessments, navigator services and settlement supports.