Internationally Educated Nurses

Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) are a welcome part of the LHSC Nursing team and would like to see IENs working at the full scope to support patient care at our hospital. We recognize that navigating the path to full registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario can be challenging, but our goal is to support IENs on this journey. 

College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) requirements

IEN’s must meet the following requirements before becoming registered in Ontario.

	Nursing Education:  Recognized/approved program from any jurisdiction RN = baccalaureate; RPN = diploma
	Transition to Practice (TTP): CNO assesses your need for a TTP course Complete an approved TTP course if required
	Evidence of Practice:  Needed if not a graduate within the last 3 years Provide proof of recent nursing practice
	Registration Examination: Must pass the NCLEX-RN or REx-PN CNO notifies when you’re eligible to register
	RN Jurisprudence Examination:  Complete the online jurisprudence exam Access provided after application + payment
	Language Proficiency: Show proficiency in English or French Must meet reading, writing, listening, speaking standards
	Citizenship / Residency / Authorization: Provide proof of citizenship, PR status, or authorization to practice
	Past Offences and Findings:  Complete declaration of any past offences/findings Must answer truthfully
	Police Criminal Record Check:  LHSC is an approved host for the SPEP program in partnership with CNO and Ontario Health (OH). Designed for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who have been approved for SPEP. Participants are matched with LHSC either through OH or by applying directly to LHSC external job postings. Includes:  Full nursing orientation Unit onboarding A minimum of 140 supervised clinical hours LHSC works to match applicants to areas of interest, balancing learning needs with organizational needs. Once registered with CNO, SPEP participants can apply to LHSC internal postings as internal applicants. SPEP participants are connected with:  Other IENs completing the SPEP journey A Clinical Educator who supports learning and transition

Where can LHSC help support IENs along this pathway? LHSC hires many IENs in non-nursing roles while working to achieve complete CNO registration. We recognize that this journey can take time, and IENs need to work while they wait. Why not work in the field you already desire to be part of and learn about the Canadian health care system while you work toward registration?

How LHSC Supports IENs Working in Non-Nursing Roles

CARE Centre for IENs

LHSC partners with CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses to support IENs working in non-nursing roles within our organization to become members of CARE. CARE provides individual case management to help IENs prepare for nursing in Ontario and break down barriers to full CNO registration. 

Supervised Practice Experience Partnership

LHSC partners with the College of Nurses of Ontario and Ontario Health (OH) as an approved host for participants in the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) program. For IENs who have been approved for the SPEP program, you will be matched with LHSC through OH or apply directly to our external job postings. Our program includes a complete nursing orientation and unit onboarding, followed by a minimum of 140 supervised clinical hours. We do our best to match applicants with an area of their interest, balancing this with the organization's needs. Once registered with CNO, SPEP participants may apply to postings inside LHSC as internal applicants. Through the SPEP program, you will be linked with other participants journeying alongside you and with a Clinical Educator committed to supporting your learning.  

New Nurse Development Program

IENs hired with less than one year of nursing experience in Canada will qualify for the New Nurse Development Program (NNDP). View the New Nurse Development Program PDF.