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Temporary Registration Guide

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What Is Temporary Registration?

Temporary Class Registration is a short-term measure enabling members of either category (RN or RPN) to practise until they register in the General Class. Temporary Class Registration in either category is available to individuals who have met all the requirements for registration except the successful completion of the national examination. Temporary Registration is limited to six months that permits members to perform procedures within the three controlled acts authorized to nursing if they are ordered by an authorized health care professional.

 

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Eligibility

Graduates from Ontario Nursing Programs

  • Must have already submitted an application for registration in the general class and must provide proof of citizenship, or permanent resident status.
  • Must graduate from an approved nursing program within one year immediately preceding the date of application for registration.
  • Must ensure that the College receives Verification directly from their school that they have completed their program. This verification must clearly state not only the date that they have completed your program but also that they are eligible to graduate.
  • Must not have failed the national registration examination in the category of application.

International Applicants and Applicants from Other Provinces

  • Must have already submitted their application for registration in the general class.
  • Must meet all requirements necessary for registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse in the General Class (i.e., citizenship, program equivalency, fluency in English or French, evidence of registration in former jurisdiction and evidence of safe nursing practice within one year immediately preceding the date of application for registration).
  • Must not have failed the national registration examination in the category of application.

** PLEASE NOTE: ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR TEMPORARY REGISTRATION MUST BE MET WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE DATE OF APPLICATION.

 

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Application Process

There are two parts to the application process: completing the application form and paying the requisite fees.

The employer must complete The Offer of Employment (Page 1) of the Application Form for Temporary Registration. The applicant must then complete Page 2 and submit the form along with a $220.80 application fee and (if not already submitted) an original Canadian Police Information Centre ("CPIC check") Criminal Record Synopsis certificate to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). The CPIC check must include all current and former names. It is valid for six months from the date it was provided by police services. Please allow 15 business days for the processing of a temporary registration application.

The form is reviewed and, if eligible, the applicant will receive a letter of verification confirming their registration in the Temporary Class. If the applicant subsequently fails the national examination, CNO will notify the employer(s) that the Temporary Certificate of Registration has been revoked.

Applicants will not be registered in the temporary class until all the requirements have been met. If an applicant has not completed their nursing program, they will not be registered in the temporary class until CNO receives a Verification of Course Completion (VCC) from their school.

 

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Terms and Conditions on a Temporary Certificate of Registration

Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Nursing Act (1991) and the entry-to-practice regulations a Temporary Certificate of Registration will include the following conditions:

  1. The member shall only engage in the practice of nursing only with the scope of his or her employment with the facility included under Schedule 1 or approved by the Registration Committee of the College of Nurses of Ontario with the terms, conditions and limitations set out in her or her certificate.

  2. The member shall be supervised by a member of the College holding a general or extended class certificate of registration.

  3. The member shall not perform a delegated controlled or authorized act that is not authorized to nursing even if it is delegated by a member of another profession (i.e. controlled acts authorized to other professions), unless the act is ordered i) by a person who authorized to do the procedure or ii) by a registered nurse in the general class or a registered nurse in the extended class.

  4. The member shall not supervise, monitor or direct the performance of a controlled act or authorized act or the practice of another member in any class.

  5. The member shall not delegate to another member or any other person the authority to perform a controlled or authorized act.

  6. The member shall at all times when providing nursing services identify himself or herself as a temporary member.

  7. The member shall be restricted to the use of the following title:
    1. In the case of the holder of a temporary certificate of registration as a Registered Nurse, "Registered Nurse (Temporary)" or "RN (Temp)", or
    2. In the case of the holder of a temporary certificate of registration as a Registered Practical Nurse, "Registered Practical Nurse (Temporary)" or "RPN (Temp).

The Temporary certificate of Registration will also be subject to the following terms, conditions and limitation:

  1. The Temporary Certificate of Registration will be automatically revoked six months after the date the certificate is issued or the issuance of a general certificate of registration in the same class as the temporary certificate of registration or upon the member receiving notification of failure of the national registration examination, whichever occurs first.

  2. The member shall provide a copy of the Verification of Registration to all persons who offer employment to him/her.

  3. That the member shall inform the College of Nurses if employment at any facility is terminated or suspended for any reason, or if the applicant chooses to leave his/her job.

  4. That the member authorizes the employment facility to provide any information to the College of Nurses regarding his/her practice and, if applicable, reasons for termination or suspension.

A Temporary Certificate of Registration will be automatically revoked:

  1. Six months from the date of registration, or;

  2. When the applicant is issued a general certificate of registration in the same category of registration as the temporary certificate, or:

  3. When the applicant receives notification of the failure of the national registration examination in the same category of registration as the temporary certificate.

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Performing Controlled Acts

Temporary members can perform the controlled acts authorized to nursing if they are ordered by a physician, dentist, midwife, chiropodist, RN(EC) or an RN whose role includes initiation (e.g., a wound care specialist).

Nursing is authorized to do the following three controlled acts:

  1. perform a prescribed procedure below the dermis or a mucous membrane;
  2. administer a substance by injection or inhalation; and
  3. put an instrument, hand or finger:
    • beyond the external ear canal,
    • beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow,
    • beyond the larynx,
    • beyond the opening of the urethra,
    • beyond the labia majora,
    • beyond the anal verge, and/or
    • into an artificial opening in the body.

When performing any procedure, including a controlled act, the temporary member is accountable for her/his own competence (i.e., doing the procedure correctly). The temporary member is also accountable for determining the appropriateness of performing the procedure given the client's circumstances. Having the authority to perform a procedure does not automatically mean that it is appropriate to do so. There are a number of factors to consider in determining whether performing a procedure or activity is appropriate.

 

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Supervising Temporary Members

Supervision may be direct or indirect depending on the temporary member's needs in relation to the demands of the client population (e.g., the complexity of the clients), the nature of the required care and the degree of competence of the temporary member. The employer is responsible for having sufficient resources available for direct or indirect monitoring, consultation and collaboration. The level of supervision required will vary according to the member's expertise and familiarity with the practice setting.

 

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Accountabilities of Temporary Members

A temporary member is accountable for:

  • the care she/he provides;
  • identifying situations where she/he requires supervision;
  • identifying learning needs; and
  • negotiating a plan to meet her/his learning needs.

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Directing Regulated Health Professionals and Unregulated Care Providers (UCPs)

The temporary member cannot monitor or direct the practice of another member in any category or class. Therefore, it is not appropriate for a temporary member to be solely "in-charge" or act in a formal leadership role. This does not prevent a temporary member from learning the elements of an "in-charge" role, as long as they are supported by a mentor/preceptor or a designated resource nurse. Neither an RN nor an RPN with a Temporary Registration can be "in-charge" in long-term care settings. It is expected that the temporary member could supervise the care provided by UCPs as part of a collaborative practice model.

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