This interactive workshop is designed for internationally educated nurses (IENs) preparing to enter the Canadian healthcare system, equipping them with the foundational knowledge and relational skills needed to support clients experiencing substance use challenges through a trauma-informed lens.

Topics will include:

• Understanding substance use, stigma and common misconceptions
• Recognizing how trauma and substance use may intersect
• Strategies for building trust and maintaining respectful, non-judgmental relationships
• Strengths-based and harm-reduction approaches
• Respectful and non-stigmatizing communication
• Cultural humility and consideration of diverse client experiences
• Professional boundaries, scope of practice, and ethical considerations
• Responding to disclosures and challenging interactions