A world of experience: Internationally educated nurse launches HHS career
After months of studying and filling out paperwork to practise nursing in Ontario, while also getting real-world experience in Canada’s health-care system by working as a health-care aide, Araceli Raganit is now joining Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS)’ nursing team.
Raganit is launching her Canadian nursing career this month as a registered practical nurse at our Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre (JHCC). Before immigrating to Canada, Raganit worked as a nurse for a private company in the Philippines.
Internationally Educated Nurses
Raganit is an internationally educated nurse (IEN), meaning she graduated from a nursing education program in another country and moved to Canada with the goal of earning her qualifications to practise nursing here.
Araceli Raganit looks forward to her new role as a registered practical nurse at JHCC.
Internationally-trained nurses must meet several requirements to register as a nurse in Ontario, including nursing education, exams, a language assessment and evidence of practice that can include gaining experiencing in a hospital setting.
While Raganit is among our newest nursing hires, she isn’t a stranger to HHS. She started working at HHS back in January as health-care aide, while finishing up her qualifications to practise nursing here.
Health-care aides perform tasks including helping patients with bathing, dressing and feeding. As part of the hospital’s Nursing Resource Team (NRT) Raganit had opportunities to work at our JHCC, Hamilton General Hospital, the Satellite Health Facility and McMaster Children’s Hospital as a health-care aide.
Finding the best fit
The NRT is a float team that includes registered nurses, registered practical nurses and health-care aides who are assigned, on short notice, to HHS hospital sites where they’re needed most.
“Our team members find out the night before their shift where they’ll be assigned,” says HHS clinical leader Kimberley Iacchetta. While constant change and short notice aren’t for everyone, there are several advantages, especially for people new to HHS who are trying to figure out where they want to set down roots.
Raganit looks forward to her new role as a registered practical nurse at JHCC’s F5 medicine ward. “It’s a really busy ward,” says Raganit. “That’s why it appealed to me. I really wanted to challenge myself.”
Being part of the NRT was a “truly enriching experience,” adds Raganit.
“I’m grateful for the knowledge and skills I gained during my time on the NRT. I’ve learned so much over the past eight months, and had the privilege of working alongside a dedicated, talented and supportive team. They’ve played a crucial role on guiding me on this journey to become a nurse.”
