Internationally Educated Nurses Supporting Internationally Educated Nurses: A Leadership Profile of the Integrated...

The Integrated Filipino Canadian Nurses Association (IFCNA) represents a vital community-driven response to the challenges faced by internationally educated nurses in Canada. Founded in 2019, this federally registered non-profit organization primarily provides comprehensive support for Philippine-educated nurses navigating the complex Canadian healthcare system. This leadership profile presents insights from IFCNA's founding chair, Austine Gaqui, and immediate past president, Mark Anthony Gravoso, highlighting the organization's programs, challenges and advocacy efforts. Through mentorship, skills development and policy engagement, IFCNA embodies the Filipino cultural value of bayanihan, a strong sense of civic unity and co-operation traditionally practised by Filipinos, demonstrating how grassroots organizations can address systemic barriers while building a supportive professional community. This profile offers nurse leaders insights into how collaborative partnerships with organizations such as IFCNA can strengthen workforce integration and advance equity in nursing.