Domagoj Tonžetić works as a nurse in the intensive care unit of a hospital in the Croatian capital, Zagreb.
More than two years ago, she began the application process to work as a nurse in Ontario, looking for new opportunities.
“In Canada, I see a much wider range of professional development than what I see here,” he told Global News.
But he’s recently put his Canadian dream on hold, shifting his focus to the United States. She said she will soon start working as a nurse in Texas.
The process for working in Ontario, he said, was “too complicated” and “impossible to navigate.”
Tonžetić struggled to find a role as a foreign-trained nurse in Ontario, as the province’s health care system is under significant strain. Emergency rooms have been forced to close and intensive care units have reached capacity in recent days.
Story continues below ad
Read more: Ford won’t commit to repealing salary cap to address ER nursing shortage
The current crisis, caused by several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, has been exacerbated by the nursing shortage.
In a statement to Global News, the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) said it was “outraged by the severe nursing and health care staffing shortages facing hospitals.”
“Shortages are being reported in emergency departments, ICUs, medical units, surgery and more,” the organization said.
In a round of media interviews Tuesday, Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones said nurses trained outside Ontario were a key part of the solution to the province’s struggling health care system.
The government will introduce “additional measures” to increase capacity, he said, specifically mentioning a backlog of internationally trained health workers awaiting certifications.
“We know there is a backlog of people waiting for these certifications,” he said. “How can we, as a province, help make sure that any necessary upgrades or assessments that happen can happen quickly?”
Read more: Ontario health minister seeks to accredit international nurses faster amid shutdowns
Story continues below ad
A 2020 report by the Ontario Equity Commissioner found that 14,633 internationally educated nurses were actively pursuing licensure through the College of Nurses of Ontario. That same year, just over 2,000 international applicants became fully registered members.
Trending stories
-
12-year-old girl escapes captivity, found walking on Alabama road: leads cops to two bodies
-
The dark side of winning the lottery: The lucky ticket can cause new problems, say past winners
Jones did not specify how long it would take to train overseas nurses to work in Ontario hospitals.
“Honestly, finding and evaluating and quickly going through the foreign-trained professionals to see if they qualify … (is) something that I think is an important piece, but it’s not the whole puzzle,” he said.
Read more: 7 in 10 Ontario nurses say they can’t provide adequate patient care, study finds
In Croatia, Tonžetić said she found the application system to work as a nurse in Canada complicated to the point of being unworkable.
He cited ID document requirements and the need to have notarized information from “multiple sources” as two examples of the bureaucratic hurdles he tried to overcome.
“I am very sad to see that they are not giving us the opportunity to show our skills and to show our … perseverance to work abroad and try our luck elsewhere.”
The need for more people to swell the nursing ranks in Ontario was highlighted in a study released Wednesday by the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN).
Story continues below ad
2:34 Ontario hospitals face major staff shortage Ontario hospitals face major staff shortage
The survey found that 68% of nurses say they do not have enough time or resources to adequately care for patients.
Sixty-six percent said they had had to accommodate more patients with higher patient-to-nurse ratios.
The survey was conducted in May 2022 and was called “The State of Nursing in Ontario: A 2022 Review.” Over 760 RPNs across the province were surveyed. It was a December 2020 follow-up study to measure the conditions of the provincial health system through the perspectives of nurses.
It also found that 86% of nurses surveyed said they were asked to work extra shifts or overtime to cover staff shortages.
Read more: Staffing problems at Toronto hospital prompt critical care bed alert
Story continues below ad
At a news conference Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province needs more nurses, but did not announce details of any new plans.
“We need more nurses, as many as we can get,” Ford said.
A spokesperson for Toronto’s University Health Network recently told Global News that the hospital is hiring to fill 371 registered nurse vacancies, about 10 per cent of its 4,000-person nursing complement.
Meanwhile, Tonžetić prepares to receive an offer to work as a nurse in Texas.
1:59 PM Doug Ford rules out calling in military to help Ontario hospitals Premier Doug Ford rules out calling in military to help Ontario hospitals
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.