Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses is a free online program that has a variety of learning options to meet your needs.It is designed to help internationally-educated nurses gain communication skills and cultural knowledge which are needed to enter and integrate successfully into the Nursing workplace in Canada. CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses) preparation is integrated throughout the program. 

All registered students are required to complete weekly online lessons/assessment tasks. On average it takes students 5 hours a week to complete online tasks.  In addition to this, students have a variety of learning options: Online exclusive, Online LIVE classes, Blended/Onsite classes and monthly webinars.

There are three modules that are each designed to be completed during a 12 week session, as well as Canadian English Accent Training for Nurses and monthly webinars. Students are placed into a module according to their language proficiency/needs. 

  1. Module 1 - Introduction to Nursing Communication (CLB/LINC 6, IELTS 5)
  2. Module 2 - Intermediate Nursing Communication (CLB/LINC 7, IELTS 6)
  3. Module 3 - Advanced Nursing & Cultural Communication (CLB/LINC 8+, IELTS 7+)
  4. Canadian English Accent Training for Nurses (CLB/LINC 7+)

September - December 2016 Schedule

Session dates: September 12 - December 2'2016

All NEW students must complete the Prerequisite course before their registration is confirmed.  The prerequisite will start on August 22'2016. All times below are in Central Standard Timezone.

Option 1

Module 1: Blended (Onsite)

(Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:00am-11:30am.)

Start date: September 13'2016

Option 2

Module 1: Online Exclusive

Start Date: September 12'2016

Option 3

Module 2: Blended (Onsite)

(Mondays & Wednesdays: 12:30pm-3:00pm.)

Start date: September 12'2016

Option 4

Module 2: Online Exclusive

Start Date: September 12'2016

Option 5

Module 2: Blended (Onsite)

Mondays & Wednesdays: 6:00pm-8:30pm)

Start Date: September 12'2016

Option 6

Module 3: Online Exclusive 

Start date: September 12'2016

*Self-paced, cannot commit to

weekly online scheduled classes.

Option 7 Module 3: Online Speaking Class

(NEW!) Mondays & Wednesdays: 9:00am - 10:30am (Central Standard Time Zone)

*You can participate from anywhere with an internet connection! You may have classmates across Canada!*

Start Date: September 12'2016

Our sessions fill up quickly! Click here to learn more. 

    Available courses

    Institutional CELBAN

    An important part of the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses program, is the Institutional CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses).  Also referred to as the "I-CELBAN". The Institutional CELBAN is a practice test offered to Module 2 & 3 students who are preparing for the official CELBAN. Institutional CELBAN scores can not be used for registration purposes.To receive official CELBAN scores, you must register for an official CELBAN test.

    For students in Modules 2 & 3, they will have an opportunity to schedule an I-CELBAN speaking assessment at the beginning and end of the session.  Students will also have the opportunity to register for the I-CELBAN group test (Listening, Writing & Reading).

    Nursing Webinars

    A webinar is a live online presentation during which participants can submit questions and comments. Students have the ability to type responses and in some webinars can participate with audio/video. Students need a webcam, headset and mic to participate fully. 

    Nursing webinars focus on important topics that Internationally Educated Nurses need to understand when practicing Nursing in Canada.  Topics such as Patient Centred Care, Documentation, Shift to Shift reports, Critical Thinking Skills in Nursing, Physical Health Assessments, Dementia, Long Term Care, Nursing Ethics, Aboriginal Awareness are examples of webinars that have been done. 

    Pronunciation for Health Professionals

    The Manitoba Nurses' Union is pleased to offer Pronunciation for Health Professionals.  Pronunciation training does not seek to eliminate an individual’s accent, but rather to assist participants to improve their spoken communication within the Canadian context.  This training is offered to Health Professionals (Nurses, Doctors, Health Care Aids, etc.) who are finding their pronunciation to be affecting their ability to communicate clearly and effectively with their patients, colleagues and families. 

    This program offers personalized pronunciation within a small group setting.  The program is specifically designed for nurses, using vocabulary, exercises, and role-playing unique to the medical setting. Online exercise extend learning outside the classroom.

    Instructor: Lisa Hargraves, Speech Language Pathologist

    Module 1: Introduction to Nursing Communication Fall 2016

    Module 1 of the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses (CCCN) program is a 12 week introduction to Nursing Communication.  It is designed for internationally-educated nurses who have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) (or equivalent English language proficiency test) levels of 6-7 in Listening, Speaking and Reading and Writing. (IELTS 5.5-6).  Module 1 includes lessons and activities that focus on foundational language skills.

    Instructors:

    • Teresita Chiarella (Onsite)
    • Irene Loeppky (Online)
    • Michelle Amaya Torres (Online)

    Module 2: Intermediate Nursing Communication Fall 2016

    Module 2 of the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses (CCCN) program is a 12-week session designed to help internationally-educated nurses gain the communication skills needed to be successful on the job in Manitoba. It is designed for internationally-educated nurses who have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) (or equivalent English language proficiency test) levels of 7-8 in Listening, Speaking and Reading and Writing.

    Instructors:

    • Teresita Chiarella (Onsite - Afternoons)
    • Linda Oleson (Onsite - Evenings)
    • Debbie Kroeker (Online)
    • Elizabeth Nachtigall (Online)

    Module 3: Advanced Nursing & Cultural Communication Fall 2016

    Module 3 of the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses (CCCN) program is a 12-week session designed to help internationally-educated nurses gain the communication skills needed to be successful on the job in Manitoba. It is designed for internationally-educated nurses who have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) (or equivalent English language proficiency test) levels of 8+ in Listening, Speaking and Reading and Writing.

    Instructors:

    • Teresita Chiarella (Online Speaking Classes)
    • Stephen Sawchyn (Online)
    • Lisa Vogt (Online)

    CCCN Prerequisite

    This course is required for you to complete before entering a new session/course.  (Note students will not have access to their course content until the prerequisite is completed.)

    The purpose for this is to ensure students can participate and fully interact with course material.  This includes typing and being able to record audio in the CCCN platform.

    We look forward to having you in our program!

    Alumni Module 1: Introduction to Nursing Communication

    Module 1 of the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses (CCCN) program is a 12 week introduction to Nursing Communication.  It is designed for internationally-educated nurses who have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) (or equivalent English language proficiency test) levels of 6-7 in Listening, Speaking and Reading and Writing. (IELTS 5.5-6).  Module 1 includes lessons and activities that focus on foundational language skills.

    Alumni Module 2: Intermediate Nursing Communication

    Module 2 of the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses (CCCN) program is a 12-week session designed to help internationally-educated nurses gain the communication skills needed to be successful on the job in Manitoba. It is designed for internationally-educated nurses who have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) (or equivalent English language proficiency test) levels of 7-8 in Listening, Speaking and Reading and Writing.

    Alumni Module 3: Advanced Nursing & Cultural Communication

    Module 3 of the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses (CCCN) program is a 12-week session designed to help internationally-educated nurses gain the communication skills needed to be successful on the job in Manitoba. It is designed for internationally-educated nurses who have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) (or equivalent English language proficiency test) levels of 8+ in Listening, Speaking and Reading and Writing.

    CCCN Instructor Training

    This course is designed for current Onsite and Online Instructors that teach in the Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses Program.  The purpose of the course is to familiarize instructors with the moodle platform and to have teaching resources in one place that is easy to access. 

    TEAM Conference: Responsive program design, utilizing eLearning

    Abstract:

    Thriving programs stay relevant to the needs of students. This presentation will focus on how programming models can utilize technology/eLearning options purposefully to better engage learners. A “Responsive program design” is less about buildings and more about eLearning options!  The reality is that for many EAL learners, attending a full time face to face program is not possible. (And sometimes not what is needed or best!)  In 2015, The Canadian Culture and Communication for Nurses program had learners participating from 17 different communities in Manitoba!  When making program decisions, we ask ourselves, “How can we offer the same quality programming to those in Thompson as those in Winnipeg?” How can we design an eLearning program that is interactive that utilizes all language skills?”  In our presentation we will talk about the need to be a responsive program and present strategies/decision making processes for integrating technology and eLearning options.