Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a Canadian not-for-profit registered charity, founded in 2001, that provides bridge training, case management, exam preparation, and workplace integration support to internationally educated nurses pursuing nursing registration and employment across Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses does
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a Canadian not-for-profit professional organization and registered charity (Charitable No. 84420 5948 RR0001), founded in 2001 and headquartered in Toronto with offices across Ontario and case-manager presence in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. The organization has supported more than 7,000 internationally educated nurses (IENs) from over 140 countries across 25 years of operation. Its core functional offering is bridge training and professional integration support for IENs seeking nursing registration (RN/RPN) in Canada, with a primary customer segment of newcomers (Permanent Residents, Naturalized Canadian Citizens, Convention Refugees, Provincial Nominees, and certain work permit holders) and a secondary segment of healthcare employers seeking IEN recruitment, retention, and workplace-integration support. The dual-program structure consists of the STARS Program (Supports, Training, and Access to Regulated-employment Services), funded by the Ontario Government's Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development for IENs in Ontario, and the PASS Program (Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services), funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and expanded nationally in 2025.
CARE Centre's service portfolio comprises one-on-one case management, language and communication training (including CELBAN preparation), nursing registration exam preparation (NCLEX-RN, CPNRE, IENCAP/OSCE), professional development workshops (averaging six per month with approximately 90 IEN participants monthly), Observational Job Shadowing (OJS), Virtual Mentoring (VM), and the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) with the College of Nurses of Ontario. Educational offerings also include the CVNU 200 Nursing in Ontario – Transition to Practice course, developed in collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto to satisfy the CNO's new Transition to Practice registration requirement that came into effect April 1, 2025, and the Workplace Integration Program delivered to healthcare employers across Ontario. The underlying technology stack is service-based rather than platform-based: the organization uses Zoom for virtual mentoring, online registration, and webinars, with no proprietary technology platform described in the available sources. Active mentorship and employer partnerships span roughly 20 healthcare organizations including Sunnybrook, SickKids, St. Joseph's Hamilton, Trillium Health Partners, UHN, CAMH, North York General, Southlake, Niagara Health, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, LHSC, VON Canada, Women's College Hospital, CarePartners, Bayshore, AgeCare, Access Alliance, and Pioneer Elder Care.
The business model is a government-grant-funded nonprofit. Two grant streams constitute the overwhelming majority of operating revenue: Ontario Government funding (STARS, since 2001) and IRCC funding (PASS, since 2016 and now national). CARE Centre does not publicly disclose revenue figures, and all member-facing services are free to eligible IENs. Ancillary revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations accepted via CanadaHelps. Pricing for the Workplace Integration Program offered to healthcare employers is not publicly disclosed. Governance is by a Board of Directors chaired by Lesley Hirst, with Rola El Moubadder serving as Executive Director since March 2026, succeeding Dr. Ruth Lee who retired after nine years.
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
- Legal name
- CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
- Website
- https://care4nurses.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a Canadian not-for-profit registered charity, founded in 2001, that provides bridge training, case management, exam preparation, and workplace integration support to internationally educated nurses pursuing nursing registration and employment across Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nursing Workforce Integration Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Schools of Nursing (EDAHAGAC)
Keywords
Where Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants - Ontario: CARE Centre is funded by the Government of Ontario through the STARS program (Supports, Training, and Access to Regulated-employment Services) administered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Ontario. Membership and services are free for eligible nurses in Ontario.
- Government Grants - IRCC: Since 2016, CARE Centre has received funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the PASS Program (Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services), which expanded nationally in 2025 to serve IENs in all provinces and territories. Services are free for eligible participants.
- Donations: CARE Centre is a registered charity (Charitable No. 84420 5948 RR0001) that accepts tax-deductible donations through CanadaHelps.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free membership for eligible IENs in Ontario (STARS Program) |
| Freemium | Others | Free pre-arrival and post-arrival program for eligible IENs (PASS Program) |
| Other | Others | Workplace Integration Program for employers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a not-for-profit registered charity that supports internationally educated nurses (IENs) in their journey to nursing practice in Canada. Its core offerings are the STARS Program (funded by the Government of Ontario) and the PASS Program (funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), which deliver one-on-one case management, language and communication training, nursing registration exam preparation (NCLEX, CPNRE, IENCAP/OSCE), mentoring, professional development, and workplace integration support — all free for eligible participants.
Product overview
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a not-for-profit professional organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs to support internationally educated nurses (IENs) in their journey to nursing practice in Canada. The core offerings consist of the PASS Program (Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services) funded by IRCC for national coverage, and the STARS Program (Supports, Training, and Access to Regulated-employment Services) funded by the Government of Ontario for nurses in Ontario. These are supported by Case Management Services, Mentoring Programs (Observational Job Shadowing and Virtual Mentoring), Professional Development Workshops, and the Workplace Integration Program for employers. Educational partnerships include CVNU 200 Transition to Practice course with Toronto Metropolitan University and University of Toronto, and the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) with CNO and Ontario Health. The organization also recognizes excellence through the annual Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Awards and provides ongoing content through webinars and podcasts. All programs are free for eligible participants.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PASS Program: Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services program funded by IRCC, providing pre-arrival program for nurses planning immigration to Canada and post-arrival newcomer services to nurses anywhere in Canada.
- STARS Program
Products and services
- STARS Program (Supports, Training, and Access to Regulated-employment Services) Government-of-Ontario-funded program providing IENs living in Ontario with one-on-one case management, language and communication training, nursing registration exam preparation, professional development workshops, mentoring, and networking. Free membership for eligible internationally educated nurses.
- PASS Program (Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Supports and Services) IRCC-funded national program helping internationally educated nurses before and after immigration to Canada. Provides pre-arrival services to nurses in their countries of residence planning immigration, and post-arrival newcomer services to nurses anywhere in Canada since 2025.
- Workplace Integration Program (WIP) Program offered to healthcare and related organizations across Ontario providing practical strategies and support to recruit, integrate, and retain internationally educated nurses. Includes cultural competence training for managers and preceptors.
- CVNU 200: Nursing in Ontario – Transition to Practice CNO-approved online course developed in collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University (G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education) and University of Toronto. Successful completion satisfies the CNO Transition to Practice registration requirement for IENs. Offered in 6-week cohort or accelerated format.
- Professional Development Workshops Workshops covering communication, essential skills, exam preparation (RNCCAP, Rex-PN, NGN e-learning), ECG, Wound Care, Medication Safety, IV Therapy, and other topics. Average of 6 workshops per month with average monthly participation of 90 IENs.
- Case Management Services One-on-one case management in which assigned case managers assess each IEN's stage, create step-by-step plans, interpret CNO correspondence, recommend affordable courses, prepare IENs for exams (CELBAN, IENCAP/OSCE, NCLEX/CPNRE), facilitate Canadian experience through job shadowing and mentoring, and support job search activities.
- Observational Job Shadowing (OJS) Mentorship program that partners CARE Centre members with expert nurses at partner healthcare organizations for 2–3 observation-only shifts, allowing IENs to experience the nursing profession in Ontario firsthand without hands-on patient care.
- Virtual Mentoring Placement (VM) Mentorship program delivered via Zoom or other electronic means in which IENs meet with expert nurses across 3–4 one-hour virtual meetings over one month to ask questions about nursing topics, specific worksites, and the nursing role within those sites.
- Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP) Partnership program between the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), Ontario Health (OH), and CNO-approved organizations enabling eligible applicants to meet their evidence of practice and/or language proficiency requirements to enter practice as a nurse.
- Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Awards Annual recognition program established in 2011 to celebrate CARE Centre member IENs for their success in Canada, named in honour of Dr. Joan Lesmond. Awards one RN and one RPN member annually along with employer partners.
- Webinars and Podcasts Educational podcast and webinar series covering topics including nursing in Canada, NNAS, CNO registration, educational supports, employment, and career development for IENs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 7,000 IENs supported from more than 140 countries over 25 years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
38 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentremajorFormalized partnership announced April 2026 to support IEN integration. Builds on existing mentorship relationship and joint ICN presentations.
- George Brown CollegecoreFounding educational partner with whom the Nursing in Ontario curriculum was developed and is now delivered in nursing programs across the province. George Brown College engaged as the first of multiple educational partners.
- WoodGreen Community ServicescoreFounding partner represented in the original founding committee. Provided community services expertise and support for CARE Centre's establishment.
- Kababayan Community CentrecoreFounding partner represented in the original founding committee. Provided settlement and community services expertise.
- Unity Health TorontocoreFounding partner (formerly St. Michael's Hospital). Represented in the founding committee and provided healthcare employer perspective. Currently a mentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements.
- Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric CarecoreFounding partner represented in the original founding committee. Provided geriatric care expertise and healthcare employer perspective.
- College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)coreOfficial advisor and regulatory body partner. CARE Centre works closely with CNO on registration requirements, Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP), and Transition to Practice course approval.
- Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)coreOfficial advisor and professional association partner. CARE Centre members receive a one-year student RNAO membership. RNAO is also a mentorship partner and board member Rola El Moubadder serves as co-chair of RNAO's International Nursing Interest Group.
- Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)coreOfficial advisor and national nursing association partner. Provides guidance on national nursing standards and policy.
- Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA)coreOfficial advisor and nursing union partner. Provided support during CARE Centre's establishment.
- WeRPN (Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario)coreOfficial advisor and professional association partner. CARE Centre members receive a one-year student WeRPN membership. Norma Tomlin from WeRPN contributed to CARE's career development podcast.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentremajorKey mentorship partner hosting Observational Job Shadowing (OJS) and Virtual Mentoring (VM) placements. CARE Centre presented at ICN 2023 in collaboration with Sunnybrook. Partnership announced April 2026 for IEN integration support. Hosts technical skills training (updating Health Assessment Skills).
- SickKids (The Hospital for Sick Children)majorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements. Provides IENs with pediatric nursing exposure and professional development opportunities.
- St. Joseph's Health Centre (Hamilton)majorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements. Supports IEN integration into healthcare practice settings.
- Trillium Health PartnersmajorMentorship partner. Jointly presented at ICN 2023. Hosts technical skills training (updating technical skills and equipment use).
- UHN (University Health Network)majorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements. Collaborated on ICN 2023 presentation on IEN transition during COVID pandemic.
- CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)majorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements. Provides mental health nursing exposure for IENs.
- North York General HospitalmajorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements for IENs.
- Southlake Regional Health CentremajorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements for IENs.
- Niagara HealthmajorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements.
- Kingston Health Sciences CentremajorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements for IENs.
- London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)majorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements for IENs.
- VON Canada (Victorian Order of Nurses)majorMentorship partner supporting IEN community care and home health exposure.
- Women's College HospitalmajorMentorship partner hosting OJS and VM placements.
- CarePartnersmajorMentorship partner supporting IEN placements in home and community care settings.
- Bayshore HealthCaremajorMentorship partner supporting home care and community health placements for IENs.
- AgeCaremajorMentorship partner supporting long-term care and seniors' care placements for IENs.
- Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community ServicesmajorMentorship partner supporting diverse and multicultural community health exposure for IENs.
- Pioneer Elder CaremajorMentorship partner and office host. Provides long-term care exposure for IENs at St. Catharines location.
- Toronto Metropolitan University (G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education)majorCNO-approved Transition to Practice course (CVNU 200) developed and delivered in collaboration with Toronto Metropolitan University. Fully online course combining self-directed modules with weekly live instructor-led sessions. Satisfies CNO Transition to Practice registration requirement.
- University of TorontomajorCollaborating partner in developing and delivering the CNO-approved Transition to Practice course alongside Toronto Metropolitan University and CARE Centre.
- Blue Branch Inc.majorPartnership to support 100 IENs residing in major urban centres across Ontario to secure employment and relocate to rural and northern communities facing nursing shortages. Provides recruitment, employment matching, relocation supports, community integration services, and retention assistance.
- Family Service TorontominorPartner office host providing space for CARE Centre services in Toronto.
- COSTIminorPartner office host providing space for CARE Centre services in South Brampton.
- AchēvminorPartner office host providing space for CARE Centre services in Brampton.
- Newcomer Centre of PeelminorPartner office host and settlement organization supporting CARE Centre services in the Peel region.
- College BorealminorPartner office host providing space for CARE Centre services in Hamilton.
- WILL Employment SolutionsminorPartner office host providing space for CARE Centre services in London, Ontario.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- WoodGreen Community Services: WoodGreen is a founding partner of CARE Centre and a major Toronto social services organization with newcomer programming. It is an ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but comparable as a community-services organization touching the IEN pipeline.
- ACCES Employment: ACCES Employment is a Toronto-based employment services nonprofit serving immigrants, including internationally educated professionals. It is comparable in mission (immigrant employment) and in employer-engagement focus, though less specialized in nursing.
- HealthForceOntario: HealthForceOntario is a provincial government initiative supporting health workforce planning and integration, including IENs. It is an adjacent system player, comparable as a stakeholder in the IEN integration ecosystem but not a direct competitor.
- JVS Toronto: JVS Toronto provides employment, skills training, and settlement services for immigrants and refugees, with some programming for internationally educated professionals. It is comparable as a community-based IEN/integrating-professionals support organization but broader in scope.
- COSTI Immigrant Services: COSTI is a major Greater Toronto Area settlement and employment services organization that supports newcomers across many professions, including nurses. It is a hosting partner for CARE Centre offices and a referral source, making it adjacent rather than a direct competitor.
Regional players
- MOSAIC BC: MOSAIC is a major British Columbia-based immigrant-serving organization providing settlement, language, and employment services, with programs touching internationally educated professionals. It is a regional peer in the broader immigrant-services category, with overlap on the IEN support path.
- Health Match BC: Health Match BC is a provincial health professional recruitment service operated by the Government of British Columbia, supporting recruitment of physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals including IENs. It is a regional peer in the IEN integration space, focused on recruitment rather than training.
Direct peers
- Bredin Institute: Bredin is an Alberta-based career and bridge training organization for internationally educated professionals, including health professionals. It is directly comparable to CARE Centre in the bridge-training category, though it serves multiple professions beyond nursing and operates primarily in Western Canada.
- Access Health (ACCESS IEN): ACCESS Health Centre in British Columbia is the most direct peer: a not-for-profit serving internationally educated health professionals (with a strong nursing focus) through case management, exam preparation, language training, and employer integration. Mission, model, and target population are closely aligned to CARE Centre, with regional differentiation (BC vs Ontario/national).
Emerging players
- Toronto Metropolitan University (G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education): Toronto Metropolitan University's Chang School co-delivers the CNO-approved CVNU 200 Transition to Practice course with CARE Centre and the University of Toronto. It is an emerging peer/partner in IEN-specific education and a direct co-developer of CARE's flagship current product.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses social profiles
Digital presenceCare Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
What does Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses do?
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a not-for-profit registered charity that supports internationally educated nurses (IENs) in their journey to nursing practice in Canada. Its core offerings are the STARS Program (funded by the Government of Ontario) and the PASS Program (funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), which deliver one-on-one case management, language and communication training, nursing registration exam preparation (NCLEX, CPNRE, IENCAP/OSCE), mentoring, professional development, and workplace integration support — all free for eligible participants.
Is Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses a public or private company?
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses founded?
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses based?
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Grants - Ontario is the primary driver. The others are government Grants - IRCC and donations.
Who are Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses's main competitors?
Others on record are WoodGreen Community Services, ACCES Employment, HealthForceOntario, JVS Toronto and COSTI Immigrant Services. Regional players are MOSAIC BC and Health Match BC. Direct peers are Bredin Institute and Access Health (ACCESS IEN). Toronto Metropolitan University (G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses have an API?
No public API is recorded for Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses.
What industry is Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses in?
Care Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses's product category is Nursing Workforce Integration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAIAB, Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT), with a secondary code of EDAHALAF, Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.).