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Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Competency Upgrade Pathway

The Ontario Colleges Nursing Program Transformation Initiative is an upgrade opportunity for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who want to qualify as Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) in Ontario. The tuition award and supplies stipend is free for eligible Ontario Residents.

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to take these courses if you meet ALL the following criteria, including:

  • You are an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN)
  • You have proof of one of the following:
    • Canadian citizenship status; or
    • Canadian permanent resident status; or
    • Appropriate authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) permits you to engage in the practice of nursing in Ontario.
  • You have a letter from CNO containing the results of your education assessment and the additional education you need. For more information regarding the CNO’s Competency Assessment Program for IENs, including language proficiency requirements, please visit their website.

* Complete the IEN Eligibility Form to determine if you are eligible to complete these courses and whether or not your course fee is covered by the Ontario government's Nursing Program Transformation in Ontario's Colleges initiative.

Courses and Delivery

Course

Delivery

Available

Nursing Informatics

Online

Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec

Health and Transitions

Online

Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec

Pharmacology

Online

Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov

Relational Practice

Online

Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov

Nursing In Ontario

Online

Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov

Healing and Episodic

Online

Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov

Research in Nursing

Online

Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec

Health Assessment

Online

Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec

Pre-Clinical Readiness

Online + 3 days on-site

TBA

Nursing Skills Lab

On-site

TBA

Clinical Experience

On-site

TBA

Preceptorship

On-site

TBA

*Schedule is subject to change. Go to the registration site for course details.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like assistance determining which courses to select, please contact St. Lawrence College at IEN@sl.on.ca or email the Nursing Transformation Career Readiness Service at info@nursingpathways.ca.

To be eligible for the tuition award and the supplies stipend, you must meet the criteria for registration outlined under Eligibility (above) and reside in Ontario. You will be required to provide proof of residency when submitting the Eligibility Form. An SLC representative will reach out via email within three business days after you submit the Eligibility Form to let you know if you have qualified for Nursing Transformation competency funding.

IENs who meet the above criteria are eligible for a tuition award to cover the full tuition cost for these Nursing Transformation competency upgrade courses. Eligible students will also receive a supply subsidy of $400 per course to help them with the costs of books and other supplies. Note: the supply subsidy is subject to a maximum of $2000 per student. These IEN supports are made possible through funding by the Ontario government.

Complete the IEN Eligibility Form to determine if you are eligible to complete these courses and whether or not your course fee is covered by the Ontario government's Nursing Program Transformation in Ontario's Colleges initiative.

Yes. You can register for the courses and pay the fee listed on the registration site. Credit card payments only. Click here to register.

Once you have identified which courses match your learning needs, click on the Register for Courses button above. Select your course(s) and add them to the cart. Follow these steps to create your registration account:

 

  • Click here to register
  • Click Check out and then Create New Account.
  • On the Registration page, choose ‘Myself’ and click next. Fill in the required personal information.
  • Check Out: My Information – review the information and click next.
  • Check out: More Info Answer the questions – enter n/a if not applicable, click next.
  • Check Out: Payment Method (defaults to credit card), click next.
  • Check Out: Billing Information (check the box at top my contact and billing information are the same), click next.
  • Check Out: Purchase click purchase, a payment page will open, do not complete any information, CLOSE the page.
  • You should receive an email from lifelonglearning@sl.on.ca regarding your order status. IMPORTANT: If you have not already done so please complete the Eligibility Form. This form is required to process your registration.

These courses do not lead to an academic credential but you will receive credit for each course you take with St. Lawrence College and they will remain on your SLC academic record.

Typically 5-10 hours per week per course. This will vary depending on the course and student availability, etc

The online courses are self-paced and delivered in an asynchronous format, meaning that students are not required to be online at certain times for class. Course facilitators help learners acquire, retain, and apply knowledge and skills, as well as guide, support and provide feedback. Students participate/interact with the facilitator and peers about course content via online discussions. Students’ progress through the course syllabus week by week, meeting all of the curriculum requirements. 

Any courses that have an in-person element will have scheduled dates/times.

Yes. For academic questions, your course facilitator should be your first contact. Once you register for a course, you will also receive information regarding the key contacts for technical support.

The IEN Nursing Transformation courses will be available in French later this year. The Ontario Learn website will be updated as more information becomes available.

These courses are designed to meet the competency upgrade (i.e., ‘gap-filler’) needs of IENs who require flexible study options. If you do not meet the criteria above, there are other study options available. Further information on approved courses and programs can be found on the CNO requirements page.

After you register for a course, you will receive an email communication from St. Lawrence College with a link containing instructions to request the supply subsidy.