August 28, 2008
What is the Boston Welcome Back Center?
Is the Boston Welcome Back Center open and ready to assist internationally trained health professionals?
If I have a friend that is an internationally educated nurse, but is not here today can they receive help too?
What services are offered at the Boston Welcome Back Center?
Am I eligible for these services?
Do I have to be a Bunker HillCommunity College student to participate?
How can I participate in the Boston Welcome Back Center?
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center assist all health professionals?
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center offer educational scholarships?
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center offer professional licenses?
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center offer job placement?
If my English-speaking skills are a challenge for me, is an interpreter available to assist me at the Boston Welcome Back Center?
As an eligible participant, what is the first step in the process?
When I meet with the Educational Case Manager, what will I need to bring with me?
Will the Boston Welcome Back Center put me in touch with other nurses going through the same process?
What is the Boston Welcome Back Center?
The Boston Welcome Back Center, for Internationally Educated Nurses, is a partnership of Bunker Hill Community College, Mass Bay Community College, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, Roxbury Community College, and University of Massachusetts Boston. The Center’s mission is to build a bridge between the pool of internationally educated nurses and the need for linguistically and culturally competent health care providers in underserved communities. In other words, the goal of this program is to assist nurses from all over the world, who have come to Massachusetts and have not been able to practice their profession, in obtaining the appropriate professional credentials and licenses so that they can return to nursing.
Is the Boston Welcome Back Center open and ready to assist internationally trained health professionals?
The Welcome Back Center will officially open and begin providing services to internationally educated nurses on October 26, 2005.
If I have a friend that is an internationally educated nurse, but is not here today can they receive help too?
Yes. Tell your friend to call The Welcome Back Center at 617-228-ICAN to set up a meeting with an educational case manager.
What services are offered at the Boston Welcome Back Center?
The Welcome Back Center provides orientation, counseling, and support to internationally educated nurses. The Welcome Back Center assists each participant in developing a career path plan that builds on each participant's skills, experience, and education. In addition to orientation and support in obtaining the appropriate professional credentials and licenses for their profession, participants are presented with other options or alternatives to consider. These options may include choosing a different health occupation offered through a Community College or State University or focusing their skills and experience in the areas of health care management, research, advocacy, or policy.
Am I eligible for these services?
All internationally educated nurses currently living in Massachusetts are eligible for the program. The program does not have the capacity to serve persons living outside of Massachusetts. Persons living outside the United States are not eligible for the program.
Do I have to be a Bunker HillCommunity College student to participate?
No. The program is open to any internationally educated nurse living in Massachusetts.
How can I participate in the Boston Welcome Back Center?
Call The Welcome Back Center at 617-228-ICAN to schedule a meeting with a case manager.
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center assist all health professionals?
Currently the Center is focused on helping internationally educated nurses return to their profession. The Center may consider expanding its services to other health care professionals in the future.
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center offer educational scholarships?
Most Massachusetts residents are eligible for scholarship and/or financial aid through the community colleges and universities. Welcome Back's Educational Case Managers help to link participants to colleges, universities, and other public and private agencies for appropriate financial support.
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center offer professional licenses?
No. Each participant will have to follow existing nursing licensing procedures. The educational case managers can provide orientation about the existing licensing procedures.
Does the Boston Welcome Back Center offer job placement?
No. However, a job announcement binder will be available to share information with participants about job opportunities upon notification by potential employers and other agencies.
If my English-speaking skills are a challenge for me, is an interpreter available to assist me at the Boston Welcome Back Center?
Welcome Back Center staff members communicate in several languages. We will do our best to provide interpreter assistance and/or resources on an individual case-by-case basis.
As an eligible participant, what is the first step in the process?
There is an initial telephone interview by a Welcome Back Center representative. After the initial telephone interview, an appointment is set up for you to meet with the Educational Case Manager. The Educational Case Manager will meet with you to discuss your educational and professional experience. The case manager will offer information and provide guidance about licensing requirements, credential validation agencies, schools, and associated courses (including English language skills courses). With the assistance of the case manager, you will develop a career path plan with the goal of practicing your profession or finding an alternative career in the health field.
When I meet with the Educational Case Manager, what will I need to bring with me?
You will want to bring copies of your diploma(s) and transcripts, as well as copies of other certifications and/or licenses. If you have a professional résumé showing your work experience in your health profession, please bring it to your scheduled appointment.
Will the Boston Welcome Back Center put me in touch with other nurses going through the same process?
Yes. The Welcome Back Center has developed group workshops and activities, and general information meetings to serve as peer support groups.
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