Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a leader in training Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs), addressing the growing demand for qualified nurses in Saskatchewan. Last year 400 nurses from the Philippines joined the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) after receiving the necessary knowledge and skills to practice in Canada.
This success is largely attributed to Sask Polytech’s groundbreaking, 14-week Transition to Registered Nursing in Canada (TRNC) program. This initiative supported the Saskatchewan Government’s Health Human Resources action plan to address the nursing shortage in the province.
The program enhanced students' existing nursing training with online theory courses overseas and in-person lab and clinical components upon arrival in Saskatchewan. The goal was to provide IENs with the knowledge, skills and abilities to meet the entry level competencies required to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Saskatchewan.
Shamaikah Mojica, originally from Manila, Philippines, worked as a nurse in a private hospital before moving to Saskatchewan. While in the Philippines she saw an advertisement on Facebook from the Canadian Embassy promoting nursing in Canada and attended a lecture. Following the lecture she participated in an interview and was quickly accepted into Sask Polytech’s program. She says, “It all happened so quickly. I was looking for an adventure and was curious but didn’t know anything about Saskatchewan. My husband wanted to move to Canada so we went for it!
“It was a challenging but rewarding experience. At Sask Polytech I learned about different cultures, including Indigenous people and their trauma. This helped me to be more empathetic and taught me not to judge.”
Ricardo Paet, a nurse from a small community in the Philippines, chose a nursing career after his mother was hospitalized during his high school years. He says, “I chose to become a nurse to take care of my mom and have information about her health. She died during the pandemic in 2020 and I realized I needed a change and wanted to move to another country.”
Paet was initially anxious about relocating to Saskatchewan, but he received encouragement from his sister, who was living in Regina. She encouraged him to apply for the TRNC. “I was scared and nervous when I started. I asked a lot of questions to avoid mistakes. I had to work on my English. Now I enjoy it, thanks to the supportive SHA staff and my colleagues.
“Sask Polytech instructors taught us how to provide safe care. During the skills lab, they shared their career knowledge, which refreshed my understanding and prepared me for working in a hospital.”
Mojica now works in the cardiac unit at Regina General Hospital. She enjoys the supportive community and teamwork in her unit. “My coworkers are kind and helpful, making every shift manageable and fulfilling,” she says. “I enjoy being a part of a patient’s journey, especially during a vulnerable time in their lives. It’s good to know I’m there during a dark time in a patient’s life.”
Paet also works at Regina General Hospital in the Medicine Unit. He advises IENs to develop their English skills and be confident in their nursing experience. “Expressing instructions clearly to patients is crucial. Be confident and be yourself. You’re already a nurse, you just need to adapt to the Canadian healthcare system and further develop your English-speaking skills.”
Sask Polytech developed the TRNC program in response to a provincial need for a tailored program for IENs from the Philippines recruitment mission in 2022-2024. The TRNC concluded in November 2024. Based on the success of the initiative, Sask Polytech is updating its Registered Nurse Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (RNBP-IEN). Starting in January 2026, this nine-month program will be offered full-time to eligible IENs. Students will take nine theory courses along with hands-on labs and clinical experience.
“The TRNC dramatically enhanced the confidence and readiness of the 36 internationally educated nurses recently hired at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre,” says Janna-Lea Yawney, director of Acute Care in Yorkton with the SHA. “This foundational knowledge allows the employer to build upon the basics to orient new team members to their facility- and unit-specific nursing roles. Without this program, the orientation process would be significantly extended.”
“The SHA values our partnership with Sask Polytech and other key stakeholders through the development and implementation of a ‘Saskatchewan Pathway’ for the recruitment, training and integration of IENs from the Philippines,” says Shelley Lofstrom, executive director for Workforce Planning and Employment Strategies with the SHA. “Leveraging a global talent pool and investing in their training and clinical integration, enabled us to address long-standing workforce vacancies across the province to achieve our mission.”
“Saskatchewan Polytechnic is equipping internationally educated nurses to confidently and competently serve as registered nurses in our communities,” Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff says. “This program reflects Saskatchewan’s collaborative and forward-thinking approach to post-secondary education and workforce development, ensuring smooth transitions into both our health system and our communities. We sincerely thank each of these nurses for choosing Saskatchewan as the place to build their career and make a difference in the lives of others.”
“We will continue to equip internationally educated nurses with the skills needed to practice in Canada,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “Sask Polytech’s successful model has garnered interest from other provinces and institutions looking to replicate our ground-breaking approach.”
Sask Polytech’s Leslie and Irene Dubé School of Nursing continues to play a vital role in addressing the nursing shortage in Saskatchewan. Through its innovative programs, it equips IENs with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the Canadian healthcare system. Learn more about the Registered Nurse Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (RNBP-IEN).
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is signatory to the SDG Accord. Sustainable Development Goal alignment is one of the ways Sask Polytech is leading the rise of polytechnic education.
