A Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) course that assists internationally-educated nurses to access health care jobs in Canada is receiving new support from the B.C. government.
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is providing $183,911 to KPU, allowing the university to offer three sections of the course Introduction to Professional Communication for Internationally Educated Nurses (IPCIEN).
IPCIEN is designed to assist internationally-educated nurses improve communication for entry into professional practice, expand health and idiomatic vocabulary, and increase understanding of culturally expected behaviours of the Canadian health care system.
Aimee Begalka, dean of KPU’s Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation, says the tuition-free course is a great option for students new to the country who are ready to grow their careers to support their families and contribute to their communities.
“There is a real demand for nurses in B.C. We have many trained professionals coming from other countries who have skills and knowledge, but face challenges joining the workforce. This is a course that meets their needs by providing language training and hands-on experience, while educating students about the expectations of the workplace in Canada.”
The IPCIEN course is funded by the B.C. government’s Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning Pathways program, which is providing $3.8 million to public post-secondary institutions for programs allowing students to acquire new or upgraded skills or knowledge in English, math, and science.
KPU’s first IPCIEN course of 2023 runs Sept. 26 to Dec. 7 at KPU Surrey. Students must be permanent residents (five years or less), living in B.C., and have an occupational certification as a registered nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) from their source country.
Online information sessions are scheduled for July 26 and Aug. 24.