Northern Nursing Practice Enhancement Course for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs)

Are you an Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) who is internationally educated and currently working in a hospital in Northern Ontario?

The Northern Nursing Practice Enhancement Course for IENs is a post- graduate micro-credential (non-credit) course designed to strengthen the knowledge, confidence, and competence of new and experienced IENs working in hospitals across Northern Ontario. The evidence-based course builds upon your existing knowledge, skills, and expertise and builds capacity for you to efficiently and effectively respond to evolving clinical priorities using critical thinking and informed clinical judgment.

This micro-credential provides IENs with the specialized knowledge required to excel in diverse and complex Northern Ontario hospital settings. The course curriculum emphasizes the pivotal role of nurses in team-based care. 

Participants will explore the integration of core concepts such as understanding Ontario’s health care system, navigating cultural humility and communication, prioritization and time management, ethical and clinical decision making, legal requirements and delegation of tasks, critical thinking and application of evidence-informed practices, charting and documentation, exploring Indigenous cultures and perspectives on health/wellbeing, unpacking experiences of moral distress, racism, and discrimination, and finding a sense of belonging on your interdisciplinary team. 

Through interacting with other IEN learners in the course and engagement with course content, learners will expand how they approach their nursing practice to build their nursing confidence, connect with peers, mentors, and expert faculty, strengthen teamwork and patient-centred care, and support safe, competent practice in Northern Ontario.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for IENs registered in Ontario who are currently employed in a hospital in Northern Ontario, including northern, rural, and remote communities.

Schedule:
Cohort #1- September 14, 2026 – November 18, 2026

Course Outline:
This 8-week course consists of 8 modules.

Format: online, asynchronous, with 3 synchronous (live) sessions via Zoom. Participants are encouraged to attend a 3-day residency with simulation the week of Oct 13th to the 18th . Exact dates TBA. Travel reimbursement is available.

Learners should expect to spend about 7-8 hours each week on the module content and course activities.

Please contact ien@lakeheadu.ca for more information!