Any US trained RN-BSN registered as RPN in Ontario?

Published

I am a US trained RN-BSN who's education has been deemed "not comparable " to Canadian entry to practice nurses. I am taking the IENCAP/OSCE soon. I am sceptical that one exam can fulfill over 100 competency gaps that NNAS has identified so I am exploring ALL options and outcomes. My questions are:

Has anyone passed the IENCAP and was still asked to go back to school?

Has anyone appealed CNO's decision? What was the outcome?

Has anyone decided to just give up the entire process and just stated in the US? Are you hopeful that CNO will change its ways and you will be able to re-apply in the future?

Has anyone applied as an RPN although being an RN in the US (of anywhere else)? What was the process? Did you have to do any tests?

On on the side note I am a US Citizen and my husband is Canadian. We just had a baby and are trying to god a family. Any input will be appreciated!

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The IENCAP can cover 100 competencies, there are 97 questions on the multiple choice exam and each station of the OSCE covers more than one competency. Review the entry to practice competencies and scenarios on the various provincial college of nurses' websites and you will see clinical practice scenarios can involve more than one competency and may involve a patient, an inter-professional team, or a family member. If you pass the IENCAP, you will not have competency gaps to fulfill and there will be no need to return to school (unless your proof of recent practice ran out).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Has anyone applied as an RPN although being an RN in the US (of anywhere else)? What was the process? Did you have to do any tests?

Thousands of IENs who were RNs in their country of education have become licensed as RPNs in Ontario. If, after their education was assessed for equivalency to PN they had competency gaps, CNO directed them to complete a Competency Assessment Supplement (CAS), after the CNO approved their CAS, they were permitted to write the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exam (CPNRE).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@dishes thank you for your reply! I have read somewhere that you could still be asked to go back to school after passing the test, reason why I was worried. I am still working as an RN in the US and not planning on quitting my job unless I get a clear cut answer from CNO. That should cover my proof of recent practice í ½í¸

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If, after their education was assessed for equivalency to PN they had competency gaps, CNO directed them to complete a Competency Assessment Supplement (CAS), after the CNO approved their CAS, they were permitted to write the Canadian Practical Nursing Registration Exam (CPNRE).

@dishes is the assessment done by NNAS As well???? I was told by another IEN that she had CNO assess her credentials directly and let her take the CPRNE but that was 6 years ago. I guess that has changed...is the CAS same blueprint as IENCAP? How long do you think the entire process is?

Again thank you so much for replying!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Yes things changed a couple of years ago. The assessment is needed will not be done by NNAS but by whomever the college decides

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you Admin

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The CAS is not an exam like the IENCAP, it is a document that the CNO asks IENs to complete when competency gaps have been identified. Completing a CAS gives an IEN the opportunity to fill in the competency gaps by giving examples from their own nursing education and experience that show how they demonstrated those competencies in their day-to-day practice. The CAS was a part of CNO's IEN assessment process for many years, even before IENCAP and NNAS. It was used for both RN and RPN applicants until 2013 when the IENCAP was introduced. Since 2013, RN applicants with competency gaps are assessed by IENCAP and RPN applicants with gaps are assessed by the CAS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion