The Self-Assessment Guide for Bridging Programs is a tool to help bridging programs* evaluate their own practices against the essential components recommended in the Pan-Canadian Framework of Guiding Principles and Essential Components for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Bridging Programs.
The self-assessment process offers the opportunity for programs to strive for continuous improvement through five main steps:
- Initial preparation that includes orienting the staff, forming and training the self-assessment team, and developing a plan.
- Gather documentation and score measures using the scale outlined below.
- Identify and analyze the strengths and areas for improvement.
- Prioritize the areas of improvement.
- Develop an action plan on the results of the process and ensure that the necessary improvements are made.
The Guide is intended to be administered collaboratively by those responsible for:
- delivering the bridging programs (e.g., faculty, administration), and
- developing the programs (e.g., curriculum, course content).
*A nursing bridging program addresses gaps or differences in education and competencies so that IENs can qualify to register to practice in Canada and integrate successfully into the Canadian healthcare system.
