Tuesday, November 3, 2009: 1:35 PM
Learning Objective 1: describe at least three major barriers faced by internationally educated nurses in integrating into the health care system of destination countries.
Learning Objective 2: describe three policy implications for eliminating barriers faced by internationally educated nurses in integrating into the health care system.
.
Globalization with its shrinking distances is resulting in increasing mobility of nurses. Canada is one of the major destination countries of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs). In Canada, Ontario has the highest number of IENs. According to the College of Nurses of Ontario (2005), there were 1,992 internationally educated Registered Nurse applicants in 2004. Of these applicants, 94.9% (1,843) were unable to complete the registration process within a year of application. Forty percent of applicants never complete the application process and never become Registered Nurses or Registered Practical Nurses in Ontario. To date, no research has been conducted on IEN applicants who fail to complete the registration process to become Registered Nurses or Registered Practical Nurses in Canada. This paper will report on a research study of nurses who fail to complete the application process to become registered to practice in Ontario. The study to be completed in April 2009 will utilize focus groups in examining the barriers faced by IENs in becoming licensed to practice in Ontario. Using postcolonial theory to explore the constitution of these IENs as inappropriate or unqualified for Canadian practice, issues of race, culture and power will be contrasted with discourse on safety and protection of the public in the regulation of nursing. Findings from this study will inform nursing and health human resource policy on the integration of Internationally Educated Nurses into the health care system.
![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)