Feb 13 2023 Calgary AB: The Alberta government revealed more details of its plan to deal with a shortage of nurses in its health-care system.
Alberta is to invest more than $15 million to train and support more internationally educated nurses for easier immigration to Canada, like Uche Nechi, who trained in Nigeria and had to wait nearly five years before she was able to resume her career in Alberta.
“At some point you have to think about ‘OK, I really wanted this but it’s about a balance of life and family,’” Nechi, who graduated last month and is working in Calgary, told a news conference.
The plan, initially announced in October, includes CAD 7.8 million allowing students to access up to $30,000 in bursaries. The remainder of the funds will create 600 new seats for nurse bridging programs at selected institutions in Calgary and Edmonton. It is expected that these measures will make easier immigration to Canada possible for nurses trained abroad.
“Access to financial support like the bursary announced today help alleviate some of the stress so internationally educated nurses like me can focus more on our education and less on paying our bills,” said Nechi.
Bursary recipients are required to complete a year of nursing service in Alberta for every $6,000 received. It is to become available in the 2023-24 academic year.
Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping said programs can cost tens of thousands of dollars and it can take years to get into a bridging program to attain the necessary licence.
“The financial hurdles many face when looking to align their training with Alberta standards can also add to the stress and anxiety created coming to a new province and a new country to work,” he said.
Easier immigration to Canada is possible as once an international student is able to get into a program, it usually takes between 10 and 14 months to complete.
As reported earlier, international students in Canada are now allowed to work unlimited hours while pursuing their studies in Canada. Measures like these are expected to maintain Canada’s position as a leading destination for students interested in obtaining a world class education.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2023