"Global epicenter of nursing excellence" tag for the Philippines cited by the WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the Philippines' efforts to strengthen the global health workforce and its efforts to ensure the world is safe from the spread of viruses

The Department of Health (DOH) Secretary, Teodoro Herbosa, made the statement in May, saying, "The solution to the global nursing shortage is no longer limited to recruitment, but also includes knowledge sharing, training, and capacity building, where other countries learn from DOH healthcare workers". In this way, he explained, Filipino health care workers can share their clinical competence, cultural adaptability, and high standards in healthcare delivery, which other countries look for in Filipinos.

Echoing WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the DOH said that viruses and diseases do not respect borders or politics, so it is important for countries to understand the value of cooperation and peaceful engagement in forming policies and agreements at the World Health Assembly.

Source: Business Mirror, Philippines

Strengthening India's nursing workforce: focus on readiness beyond numbers

India's healthcare system is placing increasing emphasis on not just expanding the nursing workforce, but ensuring nurses are fully prepared to meet modern clinical demands. While the country continues to produce many nursing graduates each year, experts highlight that skill readiness, clinical competency, and practical training quality are equally important to improve patient care outcomes.

The discussion focuses on shifting from a purely numerical expansion of nurses to a more balanced approach that strengthens hands-on training, critical care exposure, and updated clinical education standards. This includes improving nursing education infrastructure, enhancing faculty training, and aligning curriculum with current healthcare needs in hospitals and community settings.

Source: NDTV India

For many Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs), the journey to Canada is more than a geographical

transition. It is a journey of ambition, resilience, adaptation, and growth. For INSCOL alumna Kamalpreet Kaur, that journey began with a dream to build a meaningful career in healthcare and has since evolved into an inspiring story of perseverance and professional success.

Originally from India, Kamalpreet completed her Bachelor of Nursing and gained 1 year of clinical experience at Fortis Hospital in India before exploring opportunities abroad. Although she had always envisioned herself in the medical field, her path to nursing evolved.

"After my 12th grade, I wanted to pursue a medical profession. Initially, I dreamed of becoming a doctor, but later I chose nursing," she shares. "Once I started my nursing journey, I realized how rewarding it was. The blessings and appreciation from patients make me feel proud of what I do."

While researching options to study nursing in Canada, Kamalpreet came across INSCOL through a friend's recommendation. A fellow student who had already moved to Canada shared her positive experience with INSCOL, encouraging her to connect with our team.

"I had so many doubts regarding eligibility, language scores, and the overall process. The INSCOL team explained everything in detail and guided me at every step," she recalls. "From the beginning, the process felt smooth and reassuring." "I had so many doubts regarding eligibility, language scores, and the overall process. The INSCOL team explained everything in detail and guided me at every step," she recalls. "From the beginning, the process felt smooth and reassuring."

Kamalpreet arrived in Canada in September 2023 and enrolled in the Community Mental Health Nursing program at Niagara College. Further, she pursued Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Management as her second program at Niagara College. Looking back, she believes these programs significantly strengthened both her professional knowledge and career prospects.

Beyond fostering friendships, the program introduced her to important aspects of Canadian academic and professional culture. Through the IFP, Kamalpreet learned communication skills, gained exposure to Canadian classroom expectations, and completed certifications such as CPR, which later proved beneficial in securing employment.

Academically, adapting to the Canadian education system brought its own learning experiences. While the nursing concepts themselves were familiar, Kamalpreet found that academic integrity, assignment writing, and professional communication required adjustment.

"The biggest difference was understanding plagiarism and learning how to prepare assignments professionally," she explains. "The teachers in the IFP had already introduced us to these concepts, so when I started college, I felt prepared."

Like many international students, Kamalpreet also balanced academics with part-time employment. She worked part-time at Burger King during her studies and later gained experience as a healthcare worker during semester breaks.

Managing work, studies, and assignments was not always easy.

I had early morning shifts and evening classes, along with many assignments. It was challenging at times," she says. "But group studies, supportive professors, and friends from the IFP helped me manage everything."

Kamalpreet began preparing for the RPN licensing examination during the final semester of her Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Management program. Alongside formal coaching, she dedicated time to self-study, using resources such as Saunders review books, UWorld, and Bootcamp.

According to her, success in Canadian nursing licensure examinations requires more than theoretical knowledge. "These exams are based largely on practical and critical-thinking skills," she explained. "Practicing questions regularly is very important because they help you think like a nurse and prepare you for real-life clinical situations."

Having completed her RPN licensure and currently preparing for her RN examination, Kamalpreet encourages aspiring nurses to begin preparing for licensure as early as possible.

As Kamalpreet now looks ahead towards Permanent Residency (PR) and continued professional growth in Canada, she remains grateful for the support she has received throughout her journey.

"My overall experience with INSCOL has been amazing," she said. "Whether it was studies, a work permit, career guidance, or even visitor visa support for my parents, the team has always guided me. I truly feel fortunate to have started my journey with INSCOL."

As Kamalpreet prepares for the next chapter of her professional journey, she carries forward the confidence, resilience, and experiences she has gained along the way. From arriving in Canada as an international student to working as a Registered Practical Nurse, her story is a reminder that every challenge can become a stepping stone when met with determination and purpose. For aspiring nurses dreaming of building a future in Canada, Kamalpreet's journey offers both inspiration and hope.