New national fund to support internationally educated nurses
Canadian Nurses Foundation announces RBC Diversity in nursing
fund
OTTAWA, May 16, 2008 — The Canadian Nurses Foundation
(CNF) and RBC together are celebrating National Nursing Week,
12-16 May 2008, by establishing the RBC Diversity in Nursing
Fund. This new $25,000 fund enhances RBC's commitment to diversity
by supporting the integration of internationally educated
nurses into Canada's healthcare system.
Administered by the Canadian Nurses Foundation, the RBC Diversity
in Nursing Fund will provide bursaries to Internationally
Educated Nurses or IENs. These bursaries will subsidize the
cost of bridging programs, including language training, enabling
IEN's to practice in Canada.
"Supporting and nurturing internationally educated nurses
who choose to live and work in Canada is part of the solution
to meeting today's nursing demand," said Lucille Auffrey,
chief executive officer of the Canadian Nurses Association
and president of the Canadian Nurses Foundation board of directors.
"By providing funding for bridging programs we offer
support for IENs who wish to contribute to the Canadian workforce
at their fullest potential."
"We are very pleased with RBC's generous contribution
of $25,000 to establish the Canadian Nurses Foundation RBC
Diversity in Nursing Fund as diversity plays a large role
in Canada's better patient care solution," said Hélène
Saborin, executive director, Canadian Nurses Foundation.
"Diversity is definitely a competitive advantage in
Canada, and we believe that organizations, cities and businesses
that leverage diversity will be more sustainable over the
long haul," said Shari Austin, vice-president and head,
Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "Nursing is critical to Canada's
healthcare system which is why RBC is honoured to provide
this $25,000 donation to the Canadian Nurses Foundation to
establish the RBC Diversity in Nursing Fund."
In 2006, IENs represented 7.5% of Canada's registered nurses,
or 19,836 nurses, with the number of IENs applying for licensure
increasing three-fold in many jurisdictions in recent years.
While CNF and CNA recognize the right for individuals to migrate,
they support only the ethical recruitment practices of nurses.
The Canadian Nurses Foundation is Canada's only national
nursing foundation devoted to the advancement of nursing knowledge
through research and scholarships, with the ultimate vision
of superior patient outcomes.
For more information:
Jonelle Istead
Canadian Nurses Foundation
1 800 361-8404 ext.204 - jistead@cna-aiic.ca
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