CNO/WeRPN

College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the governing body responsible for regulating nursing in Ontario, and establishes entry to practice requirements. CNO’s mission is to regulate nursing in the public interest.

Among CNO’s entry to practice, requirements are provisions specifically intended to enhance public safety. Violation of these regulations, such as falsification of documentation, lack of respect of the client’s autonomy, deception, cheating during written and practical examinations, breach of client confidence, misappropriation of property, and misuse of drugs, may prevent an offending student from continuing in the Nursing Program. See CNO Code of Conduct for nursing.

Website: www.cno.org

Requisite Skills and Abilities for Nursing Student Practice in Ontario

CNO recognizes that meeting the entry-to-practice competencies requires certain skills and abilities prior to entry into clinical practice. Please refer to the College of Nurses of Ontario website to gain an understanding of required skills and abilities for this profession. Seven categories have been identified as capturing the components necessary for nursing practice.

1. Cognitive

2. Communication

3. Interpersonal

4. Behavioural

5. Psycho-motor

6. Sensory

7. Environmental

Entry to Practice

In order to obtain registration, applicants must:

• not have been found guilty of a criminal offence or an offence under the Narcotic Control Act (Canada) or the Food and Drugs Act (Canada)

• not have been the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, whether in Ontario or in another jurisdiction and whether in relation to the nursing profession or another health profession

• not currently be the subject of proceedings for professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, whether in Ontario or in another jurisdiction and whether in relation to the nursing profession or another health profession

• not suffer from a physical or mental condition or disorder that makes it desirable in the public interest that he or she not practice nursing.

• must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or authorized under the Immigration Act (Canada)

Please review the CNO website for all requirements on how to Become a Nurse in Ontario.

If you have any questions about these registration requirements, please contact the CNO:

Toronto: 416-928- 0900

Toll-Free: 1-800-387-5526 ext. 249

or via the website: www.cno.org

College of Nurses Entry to Practice

Registration Exam

Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing program (and meeting all other CNO requirements), students are eligible to write the REx-PN registration examination. This entry-to-practice exam assess whether applicants possess the competencies required of nurses upon entry into the profession and must be successfully completed prior to being granted registration with the CNO. This new exam begins for all PN graduates in January 2022.

Review the information at the following link to learn more about the REx-PN exam: www.cno.org/en/trending-topics/updating-rpn-competencies-and-exam/

Jurisprudence Examination

The College’s jurisprudence examination assesses an applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the laws, regulations, by-laws, practice standards and guidelines that govern the nursing profession in Ontario. All nurses who wish to become registered to practice in Ontario must successfully complete this exam.

The entry-level RPN is accountable for:

• All nursing care provided.

• All decisions about assigning care to other care providers.

• Knowing and recognizing her or his competence level (knowledge, skill and judgment) when making decisions and providing care to clients. This includes making decisions to collaborate or alter assignments when her or his competence level does not meet the client’s care needs.

• Knowing and meeting the College’s standards of practice and entry-to-practice competencies.

• Understanding the scope of practice/controlled acts model as documented by the CNO Practice Standard: Legislation and Regulation RHPA: Scope of Practice, Controlled Acts Model published 2011.

• Understanding the roles and responsibilities as documented in the practice setting in which she or he is employed.

• Actively identifying and asking questions of self, colleagues (including members of the interprofessional health care team) and clients.

• Applying a consistent framework to practice decision-making.

• The application of theory to practice via the use of critical thinking and problem-solving skills consistent with the RPN’s educational preparation.

• Providing safe, competent and ethical nursing care.

CNO. (2020). Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Ontario Practical Nurses. Retrieved from: https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/reg/41042_entrypracrpn-2020.pdf

WeRPN: Registered Practical Nursing Association of Ontario

Practical Nursing students are eligible for student membership in the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) on payment of an annual fee to the association. Students can join for $20 and reap the benefits.

Website: https://www.werpn.com/