1. Bridging Program for Internationally-Educated Nurses (BPIEN) – Level 1
November 2018

2. What is BPIEN- Level 1?
A language, culture and communication program for internationally-educated nurses on the path
to a nursing career in Manitoba.

3. BPIEN Level 1 purpose
Increase awareness and build skills in Language, Culture and Communication used in the nursing profession in the Canadian Health Care Context.

4. BPIEN Level 1 Program length: 16 weeks (400 hours)
Program dates: Sept. 3 to Dec. 19, 2019
Location: Language Training Centre
Via Rail Station, 123 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba

5. BPIEN Level 1 format Blended Delivery:
Face-to-Face (F2F) classes (14 hours/week)
Language and Communication (F2F) 8 hours/week
Nursing Support (F2F) (4 hours/week)
Computer Lab (F2F) (2 hours/week)
Online component (8 hours/ week: prep for in-class workshops and/or post-workshop assignment and homework) (requires access to and ability to use a computer for learning purposes)
Independent Study
(3 hours/week – specific grammar aspects)

6. BPIEN Level 1… Satisfactory completion of BPIEN-Level 1 is based on:
successful completion of all program requirements
(online & F2F), including the ability to work in groups and independently
Demonstrated skills and knowledge of BPIEN-Level 1 units and achievement of outcomes
attendance (min. 80% of all F2F component)
Final progress report includes:
CLB Level in listening, speaking, reading and writing
Strengths and areas to improve in language and communication
Non-credit program

7. BPIEN-Level 1 Curriculum
Introduction to Language and Communication
Intercultural Communication
Culture and communication models
Non-Verbal Communication and impact on communication
Cultural orientations and impact on communication
Overview of Health Care in Canada and Manitoba
Nursing in Manitoba
Patient-Centred Practice
The ‘Language’ of Health Care

8. BPIEN-Level 1 Curriculum
Taking Care of Patients and their families
Effective Interviewing
Therapeutic Communication
Communicating with Challenging Patients
Collaborative Practice
Professional Communication (“Soft” skills)
Practical preparation for language proficiency assessments (e.g., CELBAN)
Strategies for Effective Communication and Lifelong Learning (Personal Learning Plan)

9. BPIEN Level 1 – Special Components
Video examples
Role plays
Case scenarios; discussions
Guest Speakers (health care topics)
Field trips
Strategies to prepare for language assessments
Institutional CELBAN
Ongoing feedback on language and communication strengths and areas to improve

10. BPIEN Level 1...
BENEFITS:
Improve language proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing in a nursing context.
Increase your readiness to take a standardized language proficiency assessment (e.g., CELBAN).
Develop cross-cultural awareness as a health professional in a Canadian Health Care context
Develop relational skills (soft skills) in a Canadian context to facilitate effective communication in the workplace with:
patients and their families
health care professionals
health care support staff

11. BENEFITS according to former students:
“I believe that all topics that were discussed in the BPIEN class were beneficial in my nursing practice.”
“I think it has been a very useful way to prepare for CELBAN. It has helped me develop the four skills tested in the examination. In addition to this, I have improved myself professionally and personally.”
“The different communication strategies that I have learned in class will not only help in my nursing practice, but also in my everyday life in communicating with other people.”

12. BPIEN Level 1 -Program Expectations
ATTENDANCE:
Minimum 80% of all F2F sessions (phone call or to notify of absence)
Punctuality – be on-time for all F2F sessions
PARTICIPATION:
Actively contribute to all in-class discussions; participate in all activities
PREPARATION AND SELF-STUDY:
Prepare for all F2F in-class workshops by doing readings, viewing videos, completing independent work on-time
Complete all post-workshop homework and assignments on-time
Organize and manage all paper and electronic resources for retrieval as needed

13. Four Eligibility Requirements
Internationally-Educated Nurse
Must be an internationally-educated nurse
- Provide Proof Of Education as A Nurse
Priority is given to MB residents
Language Proficiency
Must be Referred from WELARC
Must have taken an English language proficiency test within months and achieved CLB through WELARC, or IELTS scores:
Listening: CLB Level 8 (or IELTS 7)
Speaking: CLB Level 8 (or IELTS 7)
Reading: CLB Level (or IELTS 6.5)
Writing: CLB Level (or IELTS 6.5)

14. Eligibility Requirements …
Other Education and Work History
Results from Language Proficiency test taken for licensure (if available)
Work Experience in former country
Work Experience in Canada (Health Related and Non-Health Related)
Must present a Career Plan [form to be completed]
Name, professional designation, contact info [phone number and address]
Career goal timeline
Plan of Action
Permanent Resident
This program is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC]
There is no cost for the program to permanent residents.
Note:. (The a fee one textbook.)

15. Application process Information for application is available online:
rrc.ca/bpien
Forms to download include:
Application Checklist
LTC registration form
Application must include:
Completed Application Form
Completed Proof of Education and Work History Form
Referral from WELARC (Contact Information on Checklist)
Resume

16. Application Deadline August 2, 2019 by 4:00 p.m.
Application must be received (hard copy) by the Language Training Centre by:
August 2, 2019 by 4:00 p.m.
Attention: Stuart Schwartz
Red River College’s Language Training Centre
Main Street
Winnipeg, MB. R3C 1A3
Confirmation of acceptance will be ed to applicants within two weeks of application deadline.

17. Contact information
Contact Stuart Schwartz, Program Manager
(204)
WELARC
Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre (WELARC)
Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204)