SEC assessment ? A JOKE !!

SuzzieZ · Jan 30, 2009

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Well then I'll have to say you joined for the wrong reasons.....

FYI:

I'm not interested in Canada. But I heard from nurses - SEC mechanism is potentially driving the IEN Nurses away from British Columbia soil.

It is a formula for guaranteed failure.

Much has already been written on this unsuccessful program , please just do a search for the other threads for you to have clear picture.

5cats · Jan 30, 2009

Well it's not driving me away or others, haven't applied in BC but SEC is similar or even the same elsewhere.

If SEC is required there are doubts or reasons that education is not equivalent, so either you're good at your SEC performance or you have to make hours up, that might drive some people away but certainly not everybody.

5cats

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 30, 2009

SEC wouldn't have been dreamt up for nothing, there has to be a reason. If the nurse really wants to work in Canada they need to meet the province's requirements and It does appear if most province's now are looking at SEC if you do not met the requirements

I have over 20 years nursing experience and I may have to do it but I do not have any problems if it is required and I want to work as a nurse.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 30, 2009

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Much has already been written on this unsuccessful program , please just do a search for the other threads for you to have clear picture.

Well, I would say that "success" is in the eye of the beholder.

If the beholder is a coworker of the IEN, SEC would be considered successful because they'd be reassured that their new coworker has been held to the same standards that they themselves have met. They would be comfortable passing on responsibility for the patients in their care to the EN. They would be confident that the IEN will have their back if they need help in an emergency.

If the beholder is a manager or supervisor of the IEN, SEC would be considered successful because they'd know that with a reasonable orientation the IEN will be able to function competently, safely and ethically no matter what the assignment. They would be satisfied that they had hired someone who meets the minimum standards of competency that Canadian-trained nurses must meet. They would be confident that the IEN will pull their weight and work with the team in a technologically-advanced workplace without requiring constant supervision or support.

If the beholder is a registrar with the provincial college of nursing, SC would be considered successful because they'd be satisfied that they had licensed someone whose education and skills are on par with all the other nurses registered in the province. They would be confident knowing that the IEN was providing care to the most vulnerable in their society competently, safely and ethically, as is their mandate. They would be comfortable knowing they would not have to defend their actions to the people they are representing.

If the beholder is a patient in a hospital, clinic or nursing home... the whole purpose of having nurses in the first place... SEC would be considered a success because they could be certain the care they're being provided will meet their needs competently, safely, ethically and when they need it. They would be satisfied that the college of nursing in their province ensured that all nurses licensed by them were required to meet the same standards.

But then if the beholder is an IEN with a sense of entitlement, looking for a quick and easy entree into the Canadian health care system, SEC would be a failure because it would require them to prove their worth. It would require them to demonstrate their commitment to their goal by causing them to take the time and spend the money to guarantee they can do what they're being hired for.

The Canadian health care system is not a charitable organization designed to provide work for unemployed nurses from around the world, it's a system to provide health care for Canadians. Nursing in Canada is a high-tech, high-stress, high-acuity job that expects its providers to know how to function within it. IENs who can prove they're up to the job are more than welcome. Those who can't will only make things worse. This holds true for any profession, not just nursing.

It would be quite enlightening for the IENs who are so critical of our process for integrating them into our system to examine their own country's policies and practices for doing the same. What requirements are placed on... let's say... a Canadian nurse who wishes to work in Australlia? Or an American nurse who wishes to work in the Philippines? Or a Norwegian nurse who wishes to work in Japan? I'm sure there are many roadblocks for them as well. No one is holding a gun to anyone's head here; if a person is unwilling or unable to play by the rules they're free to make other choices. I work with people from many countries and their contributions are highly valued. They have chosen to take the necessary steps to integrate themselves and it's paying off for all of us.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2009

As a nursing instructor my assigned hospital was changed. The new hospital made me take every conceivable test, Med test, IV test, dialysis test, ethic test, etc etc. About 20 different tests. Since I wanted the students have the clinical experience I had to take all the tests and prove my competency. I was very confident and did well on the tests. I don't see what the issue is, if you practice good nursing care this should not be an issue.

RGN1 · Jan 31, 2009

I absolutely agree!

I had to go on an IEN course for 5 days to "prove" my skills matched up to Canadian nurse training. I didn't have to do the SEC because I was general trained the "old fashioned" way in the UK.

However, my unit still required I tookthis course & I had no objection to doing so & was comfortable in taking it because I knew I was up to scratch & was happy to prove it.

pilgrim · Jan 31, 2009

Thanks for reacting to my post, SuzzieZ, but I don't see why expressing my thoughts on this thread should be judged by you, or anyone, as a wrong reason for joining. Afterall, this is supposed to be a forum where nurses can freely express their opinions as long as they're done properly and with respect to the next person.

Your disinterest, or absence of interest in Canada notwithstanding, I'll beg to differ with the use of the words guaranteed failure and unsuccessful program. I'm fairly certain that coming up with the SEC assessment did not happen to the regulators in a light bulb moment, but rather, was a result of verified and documented experiences with IENs. Consequently, in the interest of public safety, the SEC assessment was born. I can make this statement because I have read all the other threads related to this issue, contrary to what you seem to think. Bottomline is, whether we agree or disagree, the regulators are doing what they're mandated to do and I don't see how anyone can fault them for doing what they deem to be in the best interest of the people they serve.

5cats · Feb 3, 2009

Just to give an update on my assessment result: I've done well and I'm now eligible to write CRNE:)

5cats

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 4, 2009

Just to give an update on my assessment result: I've done well and I'm now eligible to write CRNE:)
5cats

:yeah: :up:

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 4, 2009

Just to give an update on my assessment result: I've done well and I'm now eligible to write CRNE:)
5cats

Great news, all moving forward for you :)

pilgrim · Feb 4, 2009

Well done! I'm pretty sure you'll do well in the CRNE too......:nuke:

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

Just to give an update on my assessment result: I've done well and I'm now eligible to write CRNE:)
5cats

Wonderful and good luck on the CRNE you'll probably ace that too.