Requirements for reinstating from non-practising class (Ontario)

dishes, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2016

You can use the search tool in the top right hand corner to find a thread entitled 'Reinstatement of registration with CNO' by madricka. In that case, CNO gave a letter of direction to attend a bridging program.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2016

You will likely need to take a nursing refresher program of some sort. Usually, these programs are around 18 months in length. I have met a couple of nurses who were required to do this.

The only way you would not be required to attend a nursing refresher program is if you were practicing in another Province and applied to the CNO for re-instatement.

dishes, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2016

@lola have you looked at George Brown ca courses "Reinstatement (Return to practice for nurses)" and "Nursing for internationally educated nurses and return-to-practice nurses" webpages?

LolaRN09 · Nov 3, 2016

@dishes - Yes saw that thread, thank you for pointing it out! I think I have read all (or most) of the threads I could find re: CNO reinstatement after non-practising. Just wanted to see if there was anyone else out there who could share their experience.

Edited to add - re: the George Brown bridging program....yes I found that one. Good that there is a program I suppose, but that long list of courses looks daunting! :unsure:

Hoping that if I'm only out for a year or two that I wouldn't have to take all of them

LolaRN09 · Nov 3, 2016

@joanna73 - Thank you for the reply. Yikes, 18 months seems like a long time for refresher courses! I'm not in the non-practising class yet, I'm just thinking ahead and doing some research about the process. Since I'm not in the non-practising class yet it means I can't get a Letter of Direction to know what I would need to do in the future. I wish the process was a bit more defined!

tiina · Nov 3, 2016

By all means, AVOID going on non-practicing class if possible. I was in non-practicing class for 4 months before my situation changed and needed to go back to Ontario. When I tried to reinstate, CNO asked me to submit documents of employment verification, reference letter from my former employer, registration record from US, and ENGLISH test!

Luckily, after evaluation of other documents, they decided I don't need to prove my English proficiency. I went to Canadian nursing school and worked in Canada for several years before going to non-practicing status. It simply did not make sense that they wanted me to prove my English proficiency...

The whole process of reinstatement took almost a year! :bluecry1:

Period in Non-practicing class = 4 months

Time took to reinstate = 1 year

Not worth it.

CanadianRN16 · Nov 4, 2016

By all means, AVOID going on non-practicing class if possible. I was in non-practicing class for 4 months before my situation changed and needed to go back to Ontario. When I tried to reinstate, CNO asked me to submit documents of employment verification, reference letter from my former employer, registration record from US, and ENGLISH test!
Luckily, after evaluation of other documents, they decided I don't need to prove my English proficiency. I went to Canadian nursing school and worked in Canada for several years before going to non-practicing status. It simply did not make sense that they wanted me to prove my English proficiency...
The whole process of reinstatement took almost a year!
Period in Non-practicing class = 4 months
Time took to reinstate = 1 year
Not worth it.

If only the government were so accomodating. As an American immigrant, I was forced to take an English proficiency test.

madricka, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2016

I'm actually going through the process right now and it takes FOREVER (you're looking at 2+ years, no joke). I worked for 8 years then was injured at work and was on medical leave. When I submitted my application for reinstatement with CNO it was dated 3 years and 2 weeks since my last shift worked -- they do NOT give any wiggle room for the 3-year mark! It also takes them forever to process your documents so expect a few months (at least) for that. And they will require proof of English language proficiency (yes, even if you were born/raised/educated in Canada) -- just giving you a heads-up on that. And you will have to do the online Jurisprudence Exam. The process is very costly.

As for the Letter of Direction, mine says that if you've been away from nursing for "three to ten years" you have to complete: 400 hours of clinical/practical/consolidation PLUS "relevant nursing course content related to cultural context, computers, technology, pharmacology, practice standards, health assessment, legal/ethical, gerontology, and communication". It says I have until June 1, 2019 to do this.

George Brown has a program but it does take a minimum of 2 years -- theory classes for the first year (including summer) and your clinical/consolidation over the second year (fall & winter terms). They look at your letter from CNO & CV then email you a list of classes and guidelines on timeline -- it's based on your experience, work history, etc. Their program is continuing ed so no financial aid (or rather they do have a bursary thing but it's only 80% of the tuition with a lifetime max of $1000). The courses are between $300-450 each, roughly. The final clinical course is $1500. Plus the fees for all the clinically-related stuff (TB tests, mask fit, police check, etc) -- I priced it out to around $400, give or take.

Centennial also has a program (it's under their IEN bridging). Their program is only a year but has a strong community/mental health focus. You do your classes & clinical over one year. The costs are about the same as George Brown but they are a full-time program so you can apply for OSAP if you need it. I was in communication with their coordinator but he is VERY disorganized and frustrating and I finally gave up and stuck with George Brown. The courses at George Brown are more interesting and relevant to me and where I'm going. But you might prefer the faster option.

I would say hang onto your CNO registration for dear life! It's a long and very expensive road back.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Nov 4, 2016

Might it not be easier (and maybe a little cheaper) to register in one of the other provinces that look at nursing practice hours over 5 years rather than 3, then reapply to CNO? I don't know if that's possible, but it's a thought.

madricka, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2016

Might it not be easier (and maybe a little cheaper) to register in one of the other provinces that look at nursing practice hours over 5 years rather than 3, then reapply to CNO? I don't know if that's possible, but it's a thought.

You would have to actually work in the other province since the CNO doesn't just look at registration [in other provinces] but the last date in which you practiced nursing. And moving to another province, working, then coming home and attempting to register with CNO would be costly and time-consuming. I did consider it briefly though. It's just not a practical option for me right now. Not sure if it's an option for the OP.

LolaRN09 · Nov 4, 2016

By all means, AVOID going on non-practicing class if possible. I was in non-practicing class for 4 months before my situation changed and needed to go back to Ontario. When I tried to reinstate, CNO asked me to submit documents of employment verification, reference letter from my former employer, registration record from US, and ENGLISH test!
Luckily, after evaluation of other documents, they decided I don't need to prove my English proficiency. I went to Canadian nursing school and worked in Canada for several years before going to non-practicing status. It simply did not make sense that they wanted me to prove my English proficiency...
The whole process of reinstatement took almost a year!
Period in Non-practicing class = 4 months
Time took to reinstate = 1 year
Not worth it.

Thanks tiina for the reply. I agree, it's best to avoid non-practising class! Glad to hear they eventually didn't make you do an English test. I remember fighting with the administration of the university I did my first undergrad degree at about proving my proficiency in English. This after being educated in Ontario from kindergarten - OAC, and being accepted to the school and completing university credits. Brutal!