Surrey, B.C. – New funding from the B.C. government will support a Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) course that assists internationally-educated nurses in accessing health care jobs in Canada.
KPU has received $180,421 from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, allowing the university to offer three sections of the course Introduction to Professional Communication for Internationally Educated Nurses (PCIEN).
PCIEN 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 who are ready to grow their careers.
“The course is very practical and hands-on, with opportunities to work with standardized patients and receive coaching from both a language instructor and a nursing instructor,” says Begalka. “Past students have felt overwhelmingly positive about the class and the ways in which it helped them move to the next step in their career.”
This funding is part of a nearly $4-million investment by the B.C. government to support tuition-free Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning pathway programs at 11 public post-secondary institutions and Native Education College.
“Our government recognizes the importance of helping people upgrade their language skills and advance in careers in high-priority sectors,” says Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Investing in this program at KPU is one of the important ways we are making it easier for internationally-trained nurses to practice in B.C., so that people can access the care they need.”
KPU’s next PCIEN course runs from May 8 to Aug. 5 at KPU Surrey. To learn more about the course and eligibility requirements, visit the PCIEN page.
Photo: KPU nursing student
