The 1st class of the UNITPAC Nursing Course, is approved by the Order of Nurses of Canada

I would like to share with you colleagues and future colleagues of profession, teachers of the ITPAC, my conquest in being part of l`Ordre des Infirmières et Infirmiers du Québec - OIIQ in Canada.

I am part of the first class of Nursing at ITPAC 2003/2004. I worked for 10 years as a nurse in Araguaína-TO at the Regional Hospital and then at the Rehabilitation Center (CER).

In 2011 I saw a report on TV that said that Canada was recruiting nurses, because the country has more than 50% of the aging population. So I decided to embark on this adventure. We entered the immigration process. In 2014 I immigrated with my family to Canada. We started a new life from scratch here in this beautiful and icy country where temperatures can reach from -30 (lots of snow) to 30 degrees (intense heat).

We started a course offered by the government called Francisation to learn the French language. And at the same time I opened my process in OIIQ. They considered ITPAC's university curriculum equivalent to that of Quebec. Wonderful! This recognition gave me the title of Infirmière Clinicienne. But to exercise the profession I had to go through an 8-month course that they call an integration course for the professional Nurse.

To enter this course is necessary to pass a written test in French. I started to prepare myself, studied and passed. I took 8 months of courses and internships in hospitals and thank God I completed another stage. I received a certificate CEPI-Candidate for the Infirmier profession. So I was able to start working at a CHSLD which is like a hotel for the elderly, most of whom have problems with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Dementia.... There they have all the assistance to live a dignified life. I love working with this clientele. And at the same time I continued my preparation for the big final exam that gives us permission to be an official Nurse here in Canada. This exam is held twice a year and we only have 3 chances. All people who are graduated here or outside Canada must do it.

On March 17, 2019 I took the much feared test. It really is very complex! There are 140 clinical cases where we have to choose the best answer according to our clinical judgment. It was a whole day of testing! I waited 29 days to receive the answer and they were the longest days of my life! But thank God I was approved! And now I am part of the OIIQ.

I often thought that I would not be able to live in another country, work and speak another language. But for God there are no impossibilities! Believe, study, run after your dreams. Because if I did, so do you!

A BIG HUG! Nurse Kenya Velozo Borges.