Former Sault nurse wants to return to profession, but says there are too many roadblocks
A former nurse in Sault Ste. Marie says she is willing to re-enter the profession to help with Ontario's nursing shortage. But she says regulatory roadblocks are holding up her application to have her license reinstated.
The Ontario government recently announced a plan to deploy internationally educated nurses to hospitals dealing with staffing shortages. But Natalie Gauthier said she's been trying for the past year to have her nursing license – which expired less than five years ago – reinstated.
However, Gauthier said the process outlined by the Ontario College of Nurses of Ontario makes that difficult. She'd like to see the reinstatement process simplified.
"A written test to know that we actually have the knowledge still within our skillset (and) to know what area of practice you want to help out in," said Gauthier, who also takes issue with a requirement that she complete 140 hours of unpaid training.
"Job shadowing would be great -- as long as the nurse would be paid," said Gauthier. "Because they are putting in the work. We don't want to exploit those nurses, as well."
The College of Nurses of Ontario declined an interview request from CTV News. In a written statement, the college had this to say:
"This regulatory function is our commitment to the public that anyone who identifies themselves as a nurse in Ontario has the knowledge, skill and judgment needed to provide safe and ethical nursing care."
The college said all applicants – domestic and international – must demonstrate their credentials before obtaining nursing certification.
Gauthier, meantime, said she's still waiting for word on her application for reinstatement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States.