OMNI College is proud to launch a new Mentorship Program for students.  Similar to a Big Brothers or Big Sisters program, the OMNI mentorship program comprises OMNI alumni who are volunteering their time to ‘pay it forward’ to help other internationally-educated nurses, just like them, become successful in Canada.  All mentors who have signed up for the program are OMNI graduates who have current jobs as nurses in Canada and who have transitioned well into the Canadian workplace.  The program will allow new incoming students to be matched up with an OMNI mentor, as a source of inspiration to help support them through their journey. 

An internationally-educated nurse who has uprooted their lives overseas to come fulfill the dream in Canada can often find the journey to be very tough. Not just with regard to training and studies, but also with the registration process, the stringent requirements, and maintaining the focus and determination needed to reach their goal.  For the last 19 years since OMNI first started training IENs, the process to gain nurse registration in Canada has become progressively even more and more complex.  But students who are matched up with a mentor, with someone who has walked in their exact shoes before and who has made it, can be greatly inspiring and help the student gain the insight and motivation they need to stay focused on their end goal to become a success.  “That’s the main goal at OMNI College – helping our students become successful as nurses in the Canadian workplace”, says Jade Burke, President of OMNI College. 

Louise Levinson, Program Director at OMNI College reports that “Every month, usually at least 1 OMNI alumni comes back to visit the College.  I can see the instant reaction from our students in class.  The hope and encouragement they feel after meeting someone who got through the challenges and the hurdles is a powerful message that they can make it too.  It is deeply impactful and motivating.  We are very proud of our alumni who have volunteered for this, and of having the opportunity to create this type of mentorship”. 

The mentorship program was a joint effort created together with one of OMNI’s graduates, Aki Tanaka, an IEN originally from Japan.  Aki was a student at OMNI College in 2011.  Ever since, she has been working as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room of downtown Vancouver’s largest hospital, St. Paul’s.  Similar to many OMNI graduates, she has remained in touch with the College following graduation.  “New nurses from Japan would always ask me how I did it, and whether I could advise them on what they need to do.  I would always tell them about OMNI College which is where I did my studies.  I started thinking about mentoring them as well, so I emailed my old college and connected with Jade, who told me that although they had considered a mentorship program in the past, they were unsure how many of us graduates would have the time or would be willing.  So when I approached her, it was the reassurance she needed, and everything quickly fell into place.  I’m so proud to be a part of this, and help other IENs just like me”. 

The response from graduates has been very promising.  When the message first went out to graduates, alumni quickly came forward to offer their participation in becoming a mentor.  Burke says “Our students have always told us that one of the most special things about being here is that every student is in the same boat together, and so the instant friendships, the support and the family comradery formed here are priceless.  Connecting each student to a mentor will further that support for them and help them realize their highest potential”. 

The launch of OMNI’s new mentorship program kicked off today with the start of the June 2018 class. 

About OMNI College

OMNI College specializes in health care programs that prepare foreign-trained health care professionals for work in Canada. The College is an accredited, private post-secondary education institution located in Richmond, a bustling suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Visit www.omnicollege.com.

OMNI was featured in a local Mexican newspaper right after OMNIs trip to Tampico, Mexico.

Read about the entire story here.

“Nursing courses are as appealing as ever for international students, but require hard work and dedication.”

Read the full story on page 27 of Study Travel Magazine’s October 2015 issue.

August 12, 2014 – The Launch of a New National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) in Canada

Last week on August 12, the new National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) began accepting applications from Internationally-Educated Nurses interested in becoming licensed in Canada.

Previously, IENs interested in becoming licensed in Canada would apply for registration directly to the province of their choice – through the applicable nursing regulatory body of that province and according to the specific requirements and assessment process of that body. With the new NNAS, an IEN’s interest, education and credentials will initially be assessed by the NNAS before their file can be sent to the provincial regulatory body.

JUNE 16, 2014 – OMNI College is pleased to announce that it has qualified as a Designated Learning Institution by the Government of Canada

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Earlier this month on June 1, 2014, the Government of Canada released the new International Student Program (ISP), and OMNI College has qualified as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) under this program.

The main purpose of this new ISP is to protect the integrity and reputation of Canada’s high-quality education systems. As of June 1, 2014, study permits will only be granted to international students who have obtained a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, such as OMNI College.

An article on the tertiary education market for international students interested in studying in BC.

“Tertiary course providers in British Columbia are busy catering for international students who have their sights firmly set on the job market in Canada.  As a consequence international enrolments are booming.”

Read the full story on pg. 26 of Study Travel Magazine

“Nursing Back to Health – With regular career opportunities at home and abroad, nursing courses have enduring appeal with international students”

Read the full story on pg. 35 of Study Travel Magazine

International Nurses Help Close Health Care Gap in Canada’s Rural Areas

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Experienced international nurses looking to find work in Canada may have better luck in remote areas. Registered nurse staffing specialists say finding qualified nurses to work in the country’s small towns is an increasing challenge as baby boomers, who currently dominate the nurse workforce, near retirement.

“The most open opportunities for immigrant and international nurses are in the most rural parts of Canada,” said Melane Mullings, senior recruitment specialist with pRN Staffing Solutions, a Canadian-based RN recruitment firm. “Internationally-educated nurses who take a course and pass their Canadian Registered Nurse Exam are likely to land a job in their field if they are willing to relocate to remote areas.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 10, 2012: OMNI College today announced that it has signed on as a Partners for Life organization with Canadian Blood Services.  Organizations who participate in the Partners for Life program pledge to donate a certain number of units of blood each year.

Every minute of every day someone in Canada will need blood or blood products. And while roughly 1 out of every 2 people are eligible to give blood, only about 1 out of 60 actually do.

The College will be holding its very first blood donation event for students and staff on the afternoon of Friday, July 13^th, 2012.

“This is an excellent opportunity to work together as a team towards a very important goal,” says Jade Burke, President at OMNI. “This initiative is an opportunity for staff and students to give back to their communities in a unique way.”

To keep our students, alumni, and business partners up to date, OMNI College publishes a quarterly newsletter every spring, summer, fall and winter.  To subscribe to this newsletter, please send an email to [email protected] specifying your name and program.

Below are a few excerpts from our most recent newsletters.  To read the full edition, please subscribe to our newsletter by emailing [email protected]