The course will focus on 31 safety critical competencies, that we know from research, will support transition to nursing practice in Ontario. For example, adjusting to the level of autonomy expected in the practice setting and adapting practice to meet client care needs within a continually changing health care system.

The new requirement/course is not a barrier to registration; in fact, evidence indicates it will facilitate successful integration into nursing practice. All applicants to CNO must  meet the requirement. Ontario nursing graduates will meet the requirement by completing the course through their nursing education program. Applicants registered to practice in another Canadian jurisdiction will meet the requirement through their current Canadian registration. Internationally educated applicants will meet the requirement by completing the Transition to Practice course.

No. The new course does not cover content in the Jurisprudence Exam.

No, you do not need to take the course. Since you are already registered and practicing as an RPN in Ontario, you have knowledge about and are meeting, the safety-critical competencies of the course in your daily practice. The course content is relevant to both categories of registration, but you meet the requirement because you’re already integrating these competencies.

No. Nurses who currently hold a CNO certificate of registration do not have to obtain additional education to meet the Transition to Practice requirement. These regulations will only impact current and future applicants. 

The TTP requirement will affect all CNO applicants and will particularly benefit internationally educated applicants. Many applicants will meet the requirement through their already existing education or registration, while others may need to take a TTP course. For example, Ontario graduates will meet the requirement by having completed a CNO-approved education program. Internationally educated applicants will meet the requirement by completing a CNO-approved TTP course of their choosing.

The TTP requirement supports nurses’ successful transition into practice, focusing on competencies related to patient safety. It was developed by examining common challenges new nurses face in practice settings. These include adjusting to the level of autonomy expected in the practice setting and understanding the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their treatments. TTP will provide applicants with the specialized knowledge that helps them understand the responsibilities and expectations of nursing within Ontario’s unique health care environment. 

Some courses will be available as early as February 2025 and more educational institutions will begin offering the courses as we move toward the April 1, 2025 implementation date.

A list of TTP courses provided by educational institutions is available on CNO’s Transition to Practice courses page. To select the course and educational institution that best fits your needs, visit each educational institution’s website to read the course details

The length of the courses and other details will vary depending on the educational institution. They will typically range between 7 and 14 weeks and will be fully delivered online in one term. Regardless of length, the learning outcomes for the courses are the same, which is to meet the TTP requirement. 

Pick your course based on your preferred learning style – for instance, a seven-week course could provide a more accelerated self-paced, self-directed learning opportunity, while the 14-week course could have both independent and group-based learning. Both types of courses will be supervised by a faculty member experienced to support online learning.

Yes, if you need to take a course to meet the TTP requirement you will only need one course. You are free to select a course offered by any educational institution that is a CNO-approved TTP course provider. Please note, for applicants who do not meet the education registration requirement and opt to take an education pathway to meet it, the TTP course will be included in the pathway.