Backgrounder - Off-Shore assessment of internationally educated nurses

The Government of Canada is providing $536,112 to Alberta Health and Wellness, the province’s health ministry, to pilot test an innovative off shore assessment program for internationally educated nurses (IENs) from October 2007 to March 31, 2008.

The pilot project is an expansion of Alberta’s successful IEN Assessment Centre. The Assessment Centre currently operates out of Mount Royal College in Calgary and represents a strong partnership with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta.  The Assessment Centre provides IENs with the opportunity to have their language, knowledge, and competencies assessed in order to prepare them for licensure and employment in Alberta. It reflects a comprehensive approach to assessment and bridging and is based on solid foundational research. It is a model that is being replicated in other parts of Canada.

The newly funded project aims to expedite the licensure process by enabling IENs to undergo the Substantial Equivalent Competency Assessment before they immigrate to Canada. Specifically, 36 IEN candidates who have been recruited to work in Alberta will be assessed overseas (London, England and the Middle East) prior to their immigration to Canada. The goal is to reduce the length of time between an IEN’s job offer and their first day of employment by identifying learning that may be required while the IEN awaits immigration. This initiative will enable IENs to put their skills to work more quickly as well as informing other jurisdictions giving consideration to offshore assessment processes. The project will also increase Alberta’s capacity to assess IENs with the training of additional assessors.