This blows my mind! Temp license in AB

RN2B123 · Mar 2, 2011

Yes in some provinces they allow you to practice even after failling your RN exam. British Columbia is one of them!

Fiona59 · Mar 2, 2011

I'm not sure about RN grads, but I remember working with one PN who worked right up until the day she recieved her third FAIL notification.

She knew her job, her skills were good, she just couldn't pass the exam.

Made me re-think the entire exam anxiety theory.

RGN1 · Mar 4, 2011

I think it's fair to let the nurses practice, they are only allowed to work to the limits of the temp license and the exam doesn't change their practice, it's a qualifying exam but their ability doesn't change because they pass or fail it!

I've seen good nurses who have taken 2 or even 3 tries to pass the exam but they were still the same nurse before and after both their failures and their passes!

The exam proves squat in terms of how good a nurse you are! In fact I'd go further and say the Canadian exam proves squat period!! :-D

Fiona59 · Mar 4, 2011

Nah, I think it proves you're smarter than the mythical chimp that scores 25% on multiple choice exams.

Oh, and you were awake in the nursing theory classes.

RGN1 · Mar 4, 2011

Haha! No kidding! Or that 12 years after your original nursing courses you can still hold a pencil!

r90s · Mar 5, 2011

This is NOT the case in BC if you are a PN.

"If you fail, your interim registration is void and you can no longer work as a practical nurse. No further interim registration will be issued.

You can write the CPNRE up to three times in total. If you fail, you can apply to write it again by completing another exam application form and paying $400. all three attempts must be made within a two year period. If you fail three times, you will be required to complete the entire practical nurse generic program before attempting the exam again."

#14, http://www.clpnbc.org/index.php?dbq=10#5010

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2011

Same in ON. The minute the CNO determines you failed, they call your employer. Your license is revoked. If you happen to be working, you are escorted off the floor. Now, I have known of a handful of facilities in ON that allow their RNs to work until the writing of a second exam.

While the exam isn't indicative of much, I still feel that I had to pass (as well as everyone else), so if you want to work, you work on those shortcomings and pass. All you need is about 65 percent. Some of those grads who whine that the exam isn't fair are too much.

Fiona59 · Mar 5, 2011

Yup, we've had IENs removed from the OR when the final failure notice has released.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2011

I can't comment on previous years of the CRNE, however, I can say that for the most part, the majority are still able to pass. Certainly, there are many variables, and some people do have test anxiety, which may result in a fail. Still, for Canadian educated nurses, there is little reason that they can't be successful. Sure, some of the questions ARE tricky. But if you can't get a 65 after four years of nursing school here, something is not right. The majority of my colleagues and friends found the October exam fair. I guess the licensing bodies have to try to implement a standard. Otherwise, they may as well just hand everyone a license. Now, of course, the exam is more challenging for the IENs.

lesliel · Mar 12, 2011

I think it's fair to let the nurses practice, they are only allowed to work to the limits of the temp license and the exam doesn't change their practice, it's a qualifying exam but their ability doesn't change because they pass or fail it!
I've seen good nurses who have taken 2 or even 3 tries to pass the exam but they were still the same nurse before and after both their failures and their passes!
The exam proves squat in terms of how good a nurse you are! In fact I'd go further and say the Canadian exam proves squat period!! :-D

I'm just curious, what are the limits of the temp license??

CLPNA · Mar 17, 2011

hi jasmine29,

you don't specify if you're question concerns rns or lpns, but if you're interested in alberta lpns you can find your answer here on the clpna's temporary registration practice statement.

for your convenience, this is what it states:

[color=#650065][color=#650065]temporary registration [color=#650065]
[color=#650065][color=#650065]practice statement 2 [color=#650065]
approved by council - september 23, 2010
the temporary registration practice permit is the practice permit issued to new graduates of an approved practical nursing program in alberta. the temporary practice permit is issued short term, not to exceed one year, and provides the authority for a new graduate to start practicing as a novice, while studying to write and await results from the canadian practical nurse registration examination (cpnre). upon completion of the cpnre, successful candidates automatically receive an active practice permit. candidates are allowed three opportunities to successfully complete the cpnre. if a candidate is unsuccessful three times, the temporary practice permit is immediately suspended and the candidate has the option to seek remedial learning.