For Immediate Release
March 8, 2012
Hamilton, ON – CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is pleased to announce the March 30th graduation of 73 members of their Hamilton-based program. CARE Centre provides individualised case management support and specialized education to help immigrant nurses achieve Ontario registration requirements, integrate effectively and excel in health care careers. The organization is now in its eleventh year of operation, with six full years of service out of its Hamilton office at 100 James St. South. CARE Centre staff support IENs from the greater Hamilton area, Halton and Niagara Regions and Kitchener-Waterloo. The organization is headquartered in Toronto with additional offices in Brampton, London and Windsor.
“CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses has experienced great success over its history, assisting over one thousand nurses from over 140 countries to meet regulatory requirements and find rewarding employment as nurses in Ontario,” said Executive Director Zubeida Ramji. “As we expand our regional activities, CARE Centre’s IENs are positioned to make an even greater contribution to Ontario’s health care and the province’s nursing strategy.”
“The Ontario government is pleased to support organizations like CARE Centre that help newcomers put their skills and knowledge to work. With the help of CARE’s Hamilton office, newcomers in the area are getting the training and support they need to succeed. When newcomers succeed, we all succeed,” said Charles Sousa, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Media are invited to attend the Hamilton Graduation Celebration which will take place between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at The Art Gallery of Hamilton. A buffet lunch will be served. The event will be attended by graduates and their families, settlement agencies, health care organizations and government officials.
IENs who join CARE Centre have received an assessment from the College of Nurses of Ontario and a Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment, and either have received or applied for permanent residency status in Canada. They receive their education through college and university partners, such as Mohawk College, as well as opportunities and support from health care institutions including Hamilton Health Sciences. CARE Centre supports IENs who come from a wide range of countries, including the Philippines, India, China, Iran, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, as well as many nations in the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a not-for-profit professional organization funded by the Government of Ontario. Ontario receives support for some skills training programs from the Government of Canada. CARE Centre recognizes the unique skills and experience of internationally educated nurses and assists them in updating their credentials to meet Ontario standards for Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses, obtain employment, advance in their careers, and contribute to health care excellence in Ontario. CARE Centre achieves these goals through case management support, nursing-specific language education, exam preparation, mentoring and networking. CARE Centre is a registered charity (charitable number 84420 5948 RR0001).
An RSVP confirming media attendance is appreciated. Please e-mail Tina Novotny at tnovotny@care4nurses.org.
For all media inquiries please contact:
Tina Novotny (tnovotny@care4nurses.org)
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
45 Sheppard Ave East, Suite 512
Toronto, Ontario M2N 5W9
416-226-2800 ext 240
Funded by:
Ontario receives support for some skills training programs from the Government of Canada