Realizing a Dream in a New Land

At St. Joseph’s Health Care London, internationally trained nurses are receiving the training they need to work in Ontario at a time of critical nursing shortages across the province.

Ever since she can remember, Jasmine Devassy has dreamed of being a nurse. She’s even chased that dream across the world. “I grew up in India, in a family of nurses,” says Jasmine. “My mom is a nurse, and so are two of my sisters.” Jasmine completed her registered nurse (RN) training in India in 2005 and went on to work as an RN in Singapore for 12 years. While working, she completed her RN degree through distance learning at a university in Australia. In 2018, Jasmine and her husband made the decision to move to Canada. With the move came a new set of challenges. Before working as an RN in Ontario, Jasmine needed to be certified with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), the governing body of all nurses in the province. The rigorous certification process includes passing a written exam and demonstrating knowledge in both education and nursing practice. “The training provided to nurses in other countries is not parallel to what’s provided in Canada,” explains Angela Reid, professional practice consultant at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s). “These individuals often need to upgrade their skills, but proving they have the practical competencies needed without having worked in the Ontario health care system is difficult.” In January 2022, Ontario Health and the CNO collaborated to develop the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program (SPEP), which provides internationally educated nurses the opportunity to demonstrate their competency to practice while being supervised and mentored by a CNO member. At St. Joseph’s, the SPEP has been implemented across the organization and several applicants have been matched with registered practical nurse (RPN) or RN preceptors in various clinical areas. “The applicants get the experience and clinical hours they need in a safe environment while our health care system gains the unique perspectives of care these individuals learned in their home countries,” says Angela. The SPEP is also a way for St. Joseph’s to recruit, retain and grow our nursing workforce.” Creating new opportunities for nurses to join the system is especially important considering the current shortage of nurses across the province. Through the SPEP, Ontario Health and the CNO are tapping into a new pool of candidates willing to step in and fill these roles.

For Jasmine, the SPEP has meant she can stay with her family while reaching her career goals. “At one point, I considered moving back to Singapore so I could continue working while my husband and children stayed here in Canada. Through the SPEP, St. Joseph’s has provided me the opportunity to once again work in the profession I love.”

Potential candidates and organizations interested in the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program can find more information on cno.org.

Jasmine Devassy

is gaining the practical skills and competencies needed to become a certified nurse in Ontario through the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.