I want to make the most of my time while waiting in the dark

[nmlola]

Hello everyone! I am currently waiting on the assessment results for both my RN and RPN applications with the CNO. Like most internationally educated nurses, I am left in the dark waiting until they let know me whether I am eligible to take the exams or not... My only dismay on the CNO's process is that they can't provide a timeframe on how long the applicant must wait.

So now that I am in this dilemma, i am planning to just go ahead and take up the bridging program for internationally educated nurses. Most of the time anyway especially for the most recent applications, CNO requires upgrade on the education right? or the assessment says the nursing program is not at par with the nursing program of Ontario? Which has a better bridging program: Centennial College, George Brown, or York University?

I might be just getting impatient.. frustrated.. you know the feeling of being left hanging in the dark... I miss the craziness of being a nurse.. an ER nurse.. I miss the crazy night shifts and the chaotic afternoon shifts.. I miss working. I never thought I would say that but yes. hehe..

[casey31]

Hi Nmlola and caleo, our sentiments are the same re; cno registration process. Update on my side, they asked me to take Objectively structured clinical examination. This is something new to EIN to prove our education is equivalent to the ontario RN grad. So far, this coming march is the first exam. Unfortunately, nobody can advise as to how to prepare for this exam since this is new. Accdg to cno, this would determine which courses need to be taken to complete the assessment. I started my application jan 2011, my safety practice expired already with their 3 yr safety practice requirement. If they are only efficient in processing application perhaps I will not be affected with their new rules. I feel bitter still because I can't believe this is happening in canada. my rn registration process in the US is more timely and organized.

[nmlola]

Hi Nmlola and caleo our sentiments are the same re; cno registration process. Update on my side, they asked me to take Objectively structured clinical examination. This is something new to EIN to prove our education is equivalent to the ontario RN grad. So far, this coming march is the first exam. Unfortunately, nobody can advise as to how to prepare for this exam since this is new. Accdg to cno, this would determine which courses need to be taken to complete the assessment. I started my application jan 2011, my safety practice expired already with their 3 yr safety practice requirement. If they are only efficient in processing application perhaps I will not be affected with their new rules. I feel bitter still because I can't believe this is happening in canada. my rn registration process in the US is more timely and organized.[/quote']

It is very very frustrating! It takes them a very long time to facilitate processig hese papers and by the time they are done with ONE freaking step, the other requirements we have passed are no longer valid! It doesnt make sense at all!!!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Hi Nmlola and caleo, our sentiments are the same re; cno registration process. Update on my side, they asked me to take Objectively structured clinical examination. This is something new to EIN to prove our education is equivalent to the ontario RN grad. So far, this coming march is the first exam. Unfortunately, nobody can advise as to how to prepare for this exam since this is new. Accdg to cno, this would determine which courses need to be taken to complete the assessment. I started my application jan 2011, my safety practice expired already with their 3 yr safety practice requirement. If they are only efficient in processing application perhaps I will not be affected with their new rules. I feel bitter still because I can't believe this is happening in canada. my rn registration process in the US is more timely and organized.

Have you stopped to think that perhaps not all of the fault lies with CNO? All the necessary documentation that must be submitted from the original source is beyond their control. Documentation is assessed only once all required paperwork has been submitted and the application is complete. So if even one of the source documents is delayed for whatever reason, your application is incomplete until it's received. And of course, applications are assessed in the order in which they were completed. Ontario, being the province that most IENs think of when they decide they want to work in Canada, has a disproportionate number of applications every month to wade through. Then there's the matter of differences in documentation - if any clarification is required, that adds to the time it takes to get the assessment completed. If you don't understand the process it's not really fair to be so critical of it.

As to your remark about "I can't believe this is happening in Canada", do you really think the College of Nurses of Ontario would be fulfilling its legislated responsibility to the province and the people living there if they just took every applicant's word for it that their education and experience are what they say they are? As educational requirements and legislation change, the College has to adjust to meet those legal obligations. Canada and the US are not the same country and they each have their own way of doing things. If it's too much effort to become registered in Canada and you already have all your ducks in a row in the US, maybe that's where you should be.

[casey31]

nmlola, frustrating indeed!

[casey31]

I am only speaking based on my experience with the CNO. FYI:janfrn, I have passed all my requirements timely. We even know a couple of friends submitted their requirements 3 months before I started and they got their eligibility to take the exam. We all have same credentials and experience. The only difference is we all have different assessor and time we started our application. My point here is, the CNO has so much lapses in registration process. They lack uniformity, no specific timeframe etc. I am not the only IEN with this kind of sentiment. Furthermore, I wouldn't be sharing this without sufficient reasons and concrete basis. I have so much respect in nursing profession, so I'm expecting some competence from them. Aside from the fact that we paid enough to get the assessment done. I respect your opinion and I wouldn't be discussing my personal reasons why I've chosen to stay here in Ontario.

[nmlola]

Have you stopped to think that perhaps not all of the fault lies with CNO? All the necessary documentation that must be submitted from the original source is beyond their control. Documentation is assessed only once all required paperwork has been submitted and the application is complete. So if even one of the source documents is delayed for whatever reason, your application is incomplete until it's received. And of course, applications are assessed in the order in which they were completed. Ontario, being the province that most IENs think of when they decide they want to work in Canada, has a disproportionate number of applications every month to wade through. Then there's the matter of differences in documentation - if any clarification is required, that adds to the time it takes to get the assessment completed. If you don't understand the process it's not really fair to be so critical of it.

As to your remark about "I can't believe this is happening in Canada", do you really think the College of Nurses of Ontario would be fulfilling its legislated responsibility to the province and the people living there if they just took every applicant's word for it that their education and experience are what they say they are? As educational requirements and legislation change, the College has to adjust to meet those legal obligations. Canada and the US are not the same country and they each have their own way of doing things. If it's too much effort to become registered in Canada and you already have all your ducks in a row in the US, maybe that's where you should be.

It is indeed true that CNO is not solely to blame regarding the processing. However, knowing that Ontario is one of the largest

provinces and pretty much it gets more applications than other states, and expecting that there could be large volumes of documents to go through and verify, they may probably want to consider more efficient ways to better the current situation applicants are having. Not adding more tests and processing times. And maybe add more people to their staff.

[nmlola]

I hope i wasnt misunderstood that I don't agree going through the evaluation, it is actually my pleasure and a privilege to be assessed.. But like most applicants.. Waiting in the dark.. I just hope they are able to improve the process on how they facilitate these applications. Canada is a great country to some it may be the best but the best can always become better :)

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Let us get back to discussing the topic rather than bashing posters. Issues with Moderating staff--post concern in the Help Desk for Admin review.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

You all need to understand that throughout Canada, there are hiring freezes and layoffs occuring. Unfortunately, although the waiting is frustrating, the jobs are not available. Even if your paperwork was processed immediately, finding work could take months to a year right now. That's the reality, due to funding cuts within recent months.

Canada is not the golden opportunity for nurses, despite what you may have heard. At one time, jobs were plentiful, but not at the moment. The Colleges are limiting the number of IEN's in AB for sure, and ON has always had a surplus of nurses.

[caleo]

I am under no illusion about the job situation for nurses in Canada as are many of the nurses waiting for licensure in their various provinces - But it is very frustrating when the CNO are not transparent with their processes and when you call them you are given different information (or misinformation) each time. The current employment situation for nurses anywhere makes absolutely no difference to the nurses patiently waiting for the CNO - they would appreciate the opportunity to put their skills on the market for potential employers to make the decision - but are facing lengthy inconsistent waits through the CNO with very little information being given.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

My point is though, that given the current economy, it does make a difference. The Colleges are in no hurry to process your applications. They are also most likely cutting their staffing, because health care staffing is directly proportional to government funding.

So less manpower all around, which will impact your wait. I'm not saying it's fair.

[caleo]

My problem isn't my wait - I don't think any of the IENs mind waiting - it is the inconsistency and the lack of transparency - the misinformation of what you get told on one occasion and is changed on the next occasion. The CNO changed the way they receive applications to make it quicker, but nothing seems to have changed. Most applicants would appreciate having a time frame to work to - and from my research into the problems people are having with the CNO, this seems to be the main problem.

If I get ill, I could have IENs looking after me too, so yes, I want them to check credentials and check them thoroughly - but they should also have time frames to work to.

Getting visas is a similar process, but at least you are informed of any problems, and also know the approximate time frame.

There seem to be plenty of employment opportunities where I am - but I cant even work as a carer while I wait........so being de- skilled as the months and months go by..........and my only gripe is not knowing when it is going to end.