Iranian-born Nafise is three months away from being a registered pharmacist in BC, thanks to the support of the Coast Capital Credential Program for Newcomer Women
Getting your foreign credentials recognized here in Canada can be frustrating and isolating, especially with the added financial stress. This sentiment rings true for many newcomer women, including Nafise, who came to Canada in 2019 with her nine-year-old son. Equipped with a PhD and more than 10 years of experience in pharmacy in Iran, Nafise began the work toward becoming a pharmacist here in BC. “I came to Canada for a postdoctoral fellowship at UBC doing research, but I really missed the direct connection with the patient,” she says.
Championing compassionate community health care
Nafise has a warmth to her. She cares for the people and community around her, as seen in her dedicated larger goal of championing a safer space for people when they are vulnerable to receiving medical news. “I plan to create a practice that goes beyond the traditional, just dispensing things, offering services such as medication reviews, chronic disease management and personalized patient care plans, serving as a trusted community health care resource.”
With three months away from her immediate goal of being a registered pharmacist here in Canada, the journey to accreditation has not been without challenges. “Adapting to the different health care system and learning the specificities of practising pharmacy here in Canada [while] balancing professional and financial challenges, while also making sure my son was settled and supported made this transition even more difficult.”
DIVERSEcity can help you take the leap
Many newcomer women, managing full-time roles as mothers and students, often feel isolated. Nafise, a beneficiary of the Coast Capital Credentialing Program for Newcomer Women at DIVERSEcity, shares her experience, “When you are studying, it’s full-time studying. If you want to pass your exam, you need to stop working and focus on the exams. But then, it is at the expense of life and all those things. So, it’s very important to find the kind of resources that can help you in the process.”
The program not only helped her achieve her goal, but also fostered a sense of community, making her feel more connected and supported. “Do not hesitate! This kind of program can provide the help and resources that you need to achieve your goal here.”
Find out more about the Coast Capital Credential Program here or email Asmaa Shahin at ashahin@dcrs.ca.