Foreign educated nurses encountered many challenges and difficulties in obtaining accreditation. These challenges were identified by Jeans, M. E., Hadley, F., Green, J., Da Prat, C., (2005) in the findings of their study as “communication and information, assessment process, language, national examination, cost, and immigration” (p. 39-41).
Source: From Chapter 03 -- Helping Nurses Adjust - Interview with Director of Nursing - Visit www.dalcross.com for further information on Australia's leading private specialist surgical hospitals.
Communication and Information
“Immigrants in Canada have difficulty in accessing useful information leading to work and/or credential assessment” (Jeans, et al., 2005, p.39).
“Many IENs also used the telephone to communicate with the regulatory body" (Jeans, et al, 2005, p. 39). There were also comments “about lack of communication from the regulatory body to the IENs throughout the process and inability of the IENs to obtain information as to the progress of their application” (Jeans, et. al., 2005, p. 39).
Assessment Process
This process is similarly challenging to foreign educated nurses because of the hardship in obtaining proper documents and because of these obstacles, the assessment process may take longer.
Language
“Language is a major challenge for IENs applicants from the perspective regulatory bodies, employers and educators” (Jeans et. al., 2005, p. 39). Taking the English Proficiency examination causes an additional challenge because of the “limited access to computer” (p.39) since” most of the tests are computer based” (p.39).
National Examination
“The multiple-choice format was found to be difficult when English was a second language and when IENs is not familiar with this format” (p. 39).
Cost
The cost is also one of the major challenges that a foreign educated nurses’ encounter especially if they came here as live-in caregivers or new immigrants making $8.50-$9.00/hr. With these salary ranges it is almost impossible to afford the cost of the “application process, translation, examination fee, language tests, and cost of tuition for refresher courses or bridging programs” (p.40). Other expenses are tutor fees for the national exam, authentication fees, postage, and books also added to the cost.
Immigration
“The regulatory bodies and employers reported that the immigration process is one of the two most significant barriers for IENs and that it may impact on the success or failure of the applicant to become registered in Canada” (p.40).
