Canada launches new supports for internationally educated nurses

Qualifying nurses educated abroad can now access tailored support to help them integrate into the Canadian workforce through the Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services Program (PASS).

Nurses located outside Canada who have yet to immigrate to Canada but have obtained their confirmation of permanent residence can utilize the PASS Pre-Arrival Program.

The PASS Post-Arrival Program, on the other hand, is a newcomer service for nurses currently located in Canada.

Offered by the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses, the PASS program is federally funded—meaning it is completely free for eligible nurses to partake in.

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Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the free PASS program, you must

Have completed a recognized nursing education program in your country of residence and hold official documentation (certificate, diploma, or degree); and
Have been approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to immigrate to Canada.

If you do not meet these two requirements, you do not qualify for supports and services through the PASS program and will have to seek alternative resources.

What the PASS program offers

The PASS program provides internationally educated nurses (IENs) with a variety of supports and services, including the following:

Online communication courses: Online courses focusing on language and communication skills specific to the nursing field.
Mentorship support: Connection with expert nursing mentors through the Canadian Nurses Association, (CNA) with mentorship customized by destination province and/or nursing specialization.
Live and recorded webinars: An overview of the nursing registration process in different provinces, the Canadian healthcare system, current labour market trends, and alternative non-licensed positions you can pursue while working toward full registration.
Individualized case management: Personalized, one-on-one support which includes guidance on relevant online resources, introductions to fellow IENs, and referrals to provincial support services based on your arrival timeline.
- Post-arrival, the case manager can also suggest additional support measures to aid you in your settlement journey.

All nurse mentors hold CNA certification and have a minimum of three years of work experience in their specialty.

The PASS program can also provide guidance on how to obtain licensure through provincial regulatory bodies, help with licensure exam preparation, and provide you with employment referrals and interview assistance.

The communication courses provided through the PASS program total 84 hours in length, and are designed for nurses who meet a Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or 6. In PASS’s communication course, nurses can expect to learn about

Verbal and non-verbal cross-cultural communication;
Canadian nursing vocabulary and abbreviations;
Inter-professional practice;
Communicating with their healthcare teams;
Health teaching and assessment;
Documentation and reporting;
Therapeutic communication and conflict resolution; and
Conflict resolution.

How to apply for the PASS program

If you wish to benefit from the PASS program, fill out the online intake form available on pass4nurses.org.

To register, you must create an account, specify whether you're in or outside Canada and seeking pre- or post-arrival services, and share your educational, professional, and clinical specialty details—among other things.

In the intake form, include documentation that you have completed your nursing education, as well as evidence showing that you have received permanent residence (PR) confirmation.

The following documents are accepted as proof of PR confirmation: