Nurses from Africa arrive in Saint-Hyacinthe

They arrive from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia or even Cameroon and will soon join the health system, which is facing a major shortage of personnel. Twenty-eight nurses from Africa will soon begin a one-year training course in Saint-Hyacinthe. The Press went to meet them during an integration day.

Two weeks after her arrival, Fatima Guelai, 23, is slowly adapting to her new city. “As soon as we arrived, we went out to visit. We were curious. We wanted to find out everything. What marked her? “Snow, of course,” she exclaims. We are used to the heat, and there, it is really cold. »

These young professionals, graduates in nursing in their country of origin, will follow a one-year training course at Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe to perfect their knowledge. They can then enter the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est.

Fatima Guelai trained for three years in Morocco, before working as a nurse for three years. She is excited at the idea of ​​returning to school, here in Quebec. “It’s a pleasure, because I can acquire other knowledge,” she says, as she walks through the CEGEP.

These 28 candidates from Africa arrived in Quebec thanks to the “skills recognition” project announced by the Quebec government in 2022 and aimed, ultimately, to recruit 1,000 nurses internationally.

Brigitte Petrie, president of the Union of Care Professionals of Montérégie-Est, is delighted with the recruitment, but is concerned about the retention of staff. “Currently, many health professionals are leaving the health network, going to agencies or going on sick leave,” she says. If we are going to look for staff abroad and want to keep them, working conditions in the network must improve. »

A daunting challenge: the examination for admission to the profession

During their studies, candidates will be able to work as beneficiary attendants. Once they have completed their training, they will have to pass the admission to the profession exam of the Order of Nurses of Quebec (OIIQ).

During the last OIIQ exam, in September 2022, only 19.5% of graduates outside Canada passed the exam on their first attempt, compared to 56% among Quebec graduates. Candidates who fail the training can, however, continue to work as beneficiary attendants, Quebec said when the program was announced.

Before entering the health network, the students try to adapt to their new life in the province. “I come from a small town in Morocco, so I’m happy to be in Saint-Hyacinthe. It’s a bit difficult to be away from the family, admits Fatima Guelai, but we also have to think about our future. »

With the help of the Maison de la famille des Maskoutains, she found a nice apartment in downtown Saint-Hyacinthe, she says proudly. She lives there with her husband, who left his native country to accompany her. “In Morocco, he was a teacher. He does not know if he will continue in teaching or take another path. He is always thinking,” she said.

Promote integration

In order to promote their integration, students have two weeks of preparatory activities. On the menu: tour of the city of Saint-Hyacinthe, vaccination, trying on masks and uniforms, computer upgrades. “They also explained to us how the bus works and the telephone subscriptions,” says Badreddine Mouhassir.

The 27-year-old nurse did not hesitate to leave his native country when he saw the Quebec recruitment program on Facebook. “Leaving my mother, it was a bit difficult. We talk to each other almost every day. I miss her, but it’s okay, ”he drops, moved.

The candidate from Morocco lives in a large apartment with four other students in the program. “We have become like a small family. I walk to CEGEP from my apartment. Even during storms,” he says, smiling.

He appreciates the calm of his new city. “I come from Casablanca, the biggest city in Morocco. It’s a stressful city. Saint-Hyacinthe is quiet. It’s calming. I really like it,” he says, smiling.

The young man, who holds a master’s degree in management of health establishments, dreams of a great career. “In Morocco, there is no advantage to having done the master’s degree. You are a nurse and you are stagnating. I want to have a great career here. That’s what drives me, he says. I have ambition. »