Humber Polytechnic has launched the IEN Education Requirement pathway, the first program offered in Ontario to meet the recently mandated changes from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) for certain internationally educated nurses (IENs).
As Ontario continues to experience persistent staffing challenges for nurses in hospitals, community health, and long-term care, many IENs face difficulties meeting educational requirements and transitioning to practice. Humber's new program addresses both issues by helping IENs meet the updated registration standards introduced by the CNO.
"Humber's program was developed in alignment with CNO requirements to close competency gaps, provide placement opportunities, and ensure that nurses stay up to date with practice standards," said Selam Teweldai, a registered nurse and program advisor. "With expert instructors and in-person lab work at our state-of-the-art facilities, Humber equips students with the skills they need to become licensed and ready for the Ontario health-care workforce."
While recent changes to the CNO's registration process include provisions to enable certain IENs to begin practising sooner, the IEN Education Requirement pathway is intended for internationally trained registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) who do not yet meet all of the CNO's nursing education requirements.
The new standards align with the Ontario government's broader efforts to strengthen the province's nursing workforce. In late 2024, the province announced new financial investments to support a range of nursing education and upskilling initiatives.
"Our government is committed to building a stronger healthcare workforce to ensure people get the care they need, when they need it," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "Institutions like Humber Polytechnic play an important role in addressing the nursing shortage by preparing internationally educated RNs and RPNs to enter the workforce quickly, so patients receive high-quality care when and where they need it."
"Humber has long been a leader in nursing education and preparing healthcare professionals for communities across our province," said Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO, Humber Polytechnic. "The launch of the IEN Education Requirement pathway creates a vital bridge for internationally educated nurses to enter Ontario's workforce with the right skills, experience, and confidence they need to succeed. This initiative builds on our ongoing efforts to have more qualified nurses who will help strengthen care in healthcare settings across the province."
Learn more about Humber's new IEN Education Requirement pathway, here.
