HHS’ Internationally Educated Nurse program aims to ease staff shortages

A new initiative at Hamilton Health Sciences is aiming to alleviate the strain on hospitals across the province experiencing staffing issues.

The Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) program offers workshops and education sessions to help foreign-trained nurses get a job in Ontario.

“The program equips them with communication skills and cultural skills, as well as nursing skills,” said project manager Liberty Aspilla.

The Ontario government funds the program so that it can be free to its nearly 180 participants.

More than 1,400 people have taken part in the program since it was launched in 2009.

READ MORE: HHS launches new program to enhance support for nurses