If you are an internationally educated nurse planning to work in Manitoba, strong communication skills are key to better patient outcomes and successful professional working relationships. Communication for Professional Practice for International Educated Nurses (CPP-IENs) is a fully online, for-credit course designed to help you build skills and feel more prepared for working with patients as part of collaborative healthcare teams in Canada.

Through participation in lectures, discussion in case studies, and applied practice in role-plays, you will gain communication skills and confidence for interacting with a diverse group of patients and colleagues to gather and share information, provide culturally safe care, advocate for patients, and manage challenging interactions and conflicts.

Helps You Move Forward in Your Nursing Career

Completing CPP-IENs gives you a competitive advantage. This course is accepted in both major nursing bridging programs in Manitoba. This means the work you do now can help you move faster toward your LPN or RN goals.

CPP-IENs is recognized by:

• Assiniboine College
  • It is the communication course used in the Practical Nurse Qualification Re-Entry (PNQR) program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).

• RRC Polytech
  • It is equivalent to and can be taken for credit as COMM-1206, the required communication course in the Nurse Re-Entry Program (NREP) for Registered Nurses (RNs).

This recognition can save you time, reduce your workload and stress during a nursing bridging program, and help you take your next step with confidence.

Benefits of CPP-IENs

• no cost to participants
• accepted in both the RN and LPN pathways
• flexible (fully online, with some components done independently on your own time)
• meets the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) and the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) bridging communication requirements
• gives you lots of practice to build your communication skills and confidence in a supportive classroom environment.
• can be taken before or during your bridging program.

What You Will Learn

In this course, you will learn key communication skills needed for working as a nurse in the Canadian healthcare system. You will examine concepts related to health and wellness, ethical and safe patient care, diversity and intercultural competence, and communication for professional practice. This includes patient-centred therapeutic communication, collaborative communication, conflict resolution, and reflective practice.

Who Can Apply?

To take part in this program, you will need:

• A computer with a webcam, internet, printer, and a good headset
• CLB 7 (or CLB 6 in one skill area, which may be considered)
• Language level assessed at WELARC and referral to the RRC CNI Health program
• Naturalized Canadian citizens and work permit holders with a valid official language assessment (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo) can also be considered and should contact hesp@rrc.ca

If you are an internationally educated health professional interested in occupation-specific language training—or a nurse with lower English proficiency—please reach out to us. Our next course starts January 2026—don’t wait! We plan to offer this program every term, so now is the perfect time to join. Interested? Email us at hesp@rrc.ca.

CPP-IENs is a helpful step for internationally educated nurses who want to build strong communication skills and feel more ready for the Canadian workplace. It supports you as you work toward your nursing goals and prepares you for success in Manitoba’s healthcare system. This program is offered with support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Manitoba government.