Natalie Ou

Hi @AgnesJohn. Yes, I finally received a response 3 months later. The CNO extended the expiration of my language proficiency requirement so that I could register for my nursing license. All is well now and I am finally a registered nurse working in Ontario! Its a long process so you have to be patient. I had to ask my employers to write more than one letter too. I know, its very annoying for your employers because they're so busy but it has to be done. Ask your employers to be more specific with their examples of how you use English in the workplace, and make sure to follow the CNO indicators on the CNO website. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi @kbrn2002. Thanks for responding! In Ontario, there is usually one RN in a team consisting of one practical registered nurse and the rest are personal support workers or resident assistants. In other words, there is just one RN to care for an entire floor (sometimes more than one floor...) This is also a concern of mine as well so I'm trying to be as prepared as possible! I will definitely look through the sub forums. Thanks a lot of your input.

Hi everyone, I just recently got my registered nursing license here in Ontario, Canada (YAY) and am about to start my very first RN position at a nursing home. I am as they say, an "old new grad" meaning I graduated a few years ago and only recently got my license. SO, it's been a long time since I've practiced my nursing skills... I've been studying and reviewing all of my nursing content every day (watching Youtube videos etc) and I feel surprisingly very confident (but I know nothing will really prepare me for the real thing!) I'm very excited to finally start my nursing career but I'm also very nervous because I've been out of practice for so long. I was wondering if those in the LTC field could share some tips and advice in regard to an old new grad RN starting a new job at a nursing home. I understand that every facility is different but what nursing skills should I expect to see and use often? What is the daily routine of an RN for the AM, evening, and night shifts? How do you deal with angry family members? What are the common medications that I may see in the nursing home? What challenges will I face considering that I may be the only RN in the entire nursing facility with other RPNs and PSWs, and how do I overcome these challenges? Any input is valued and appreciated. Thanks all. Stay safe and healthy.

Hi Sunshine, I am also in the same situation. It's a very long process here in Ontario. They gave me two options: pass an approved language proficiency test such as CELBAN or IELTS, or go the "uncommon" route and submit references from your current/past employers or volunteer work (within the last 2 years) proving examples of how you read, write, & speak English in the workplace. The examples should meet the indicators on the CNO website. Along with this, you also have to write a personal letter explaining why and how you think you meet the indicators using examples from your workplace or volunteer work. Because I didn't want to pay $300 for any of the English tests, I decided to go with the second option and submit references. I've been waiting for my application to be reviewed since July of this year, and only recently did I get a response from the director of the CNO stating that my application will be referred to the Registration Committee to determine if my evidences meet the requirements. Apparently the registration committee meets with them only once a month which is one of the reasons why the process takes so long. And I was also told over the phone by one of the customer service reps at CNO that if they are referring your application to the Registration Committee, then you have a good chance of meeting the requirements (or else they wouldn't send it at all)... Anyway, that's my experience so far. It's a long process and a whole lot of waiting (and anxiety...) I highly suggest you check out the CNO website if you haven't already. All the information is there under language Proficiency, or just give CNO a call. Here is the link for evidences you can submit. Scroll all the way down and read the "Review by the Registration Committee": http://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/language-proficiency/language-proficiency-other-types-of-evidence/ Here is the link for the indicators you need to meet: http://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/registration-requirements/language-proficiency/language-proficiency-indicators/ Long post but I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes for you! Good luck