Canada's National Nursing Assessment Service applauds government's commitment to health care in the 2016 federal budget

TORONTO, March 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) congratulates Finance Minister Bill Morneau on the release of his first budget and applauds the government's commitment to working with Canada's provinces and territories on a new health accord.

In order to address the health care challenges identified in the budget, it will be critical to provide an adequate supply of highly competent and qualified nurses and ensure their ease of mobility across Canada. NNAS is pleased that the government has announced an increase to the number of permanent resident admissions in 2016. 

"Higher admission targets for new residents and increased funding for settlement programs will enable a larger number of qualified internationally educated nurses (IENs) to become registered in Canada," says Siu Mee Cheng, NNAS Executive Director. "The programs will provide much-needed skills training and language courses to facilitate a successful transition into the Canadian economy and society."

NNAS also commends Budget 2016 for including a commitment to work collaboratively with provinces and territories to provide timely, reliable and comprehensive labour market information to equip Canadians with the tools to access a broad range of employment opportunities. This information will help IENs make more informed decisions about the best opportunities to pursue and where they may find those opportunities as they begin their registration journey.

NNAS is committed to the continuous improvement and expansion of services provided to support IENs and its 21 nursing regulatory body members across Canada. It strives for transparency, timeliness and harmonization across its member jurisdictions while applying rigorous standards for assessing qualifications and protecting the public.

About NNAS

The National Nursing Assessment Service was created in 2012 by 21 Canadian nursing regulatory bodies working with the provincial and federal governments, to create a harmonized process to collect the requisite documentation and to assess education credentials of internationally educated nurses in order to support Canadian nursing registration. Its membership consists of the 21 licensed practical nurse, registered nurse and registered psychiatric nurse regulatory bodies in Canada, except Quebec and the territories. NNAS is governed by a 12-member board of directors representing the three regulated nursing groups.  Start-up funding was provided by the regulatory bodies, provincial governments and the Government of Canada. For more information visit www.nnas.ca

SOURCE National Nursing Assessment Services

Image with caption: "National Nursing Assessment Service (CNW Group/National Nursing Assessment Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160324_C2507_PHOTO_EN_650448.jpg

For further information: Media Contact: Siu Mee Cheng, MHSc., BASc., CHE, Executive Director, National Nursing Assessment Service, 1-877-215-9989 ext. 4 or [e-mail]