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Information for Nurses
The following information is for registrants in the Non-Practising Class interested in participating in a Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) to qualify for reinstatement in the General Class.
Participation criteria
To be eligible to participate in a SPE, you must:
- be a nurse registered in the Non-Practising Class
- be unable to demonstrate recent practice have an open reinstatement application with CNO
Individuals who choose to participate in a SPE for reinstatement purposes are required to reinstate to the General Class. You will need to have professional liability insurance.
If you are not registered in the Non-Practising Class, contact CNO to provide you with the Non-Practising Class application form.
How to apply
To participate in a SPE, you must first submit an application to enp@cnomail.org for approval.
Your SPE application must include the following documents:
- Supervised Practice Experience Nurse Information Form
- SPE Sponsoring Organization, Nurse and Supervisor Agreement Form
Once you submit the agreement form, you must wait for CNO’s approval before you can begin your supervised practice experience.
All applications will be evaluated individually. Past or current conduct and/or health issues may impact your eligibility to participate.
SPE requirements
The following are requirements you must meet to complete your SPE:
- Obtain CNO’s approval on your application
- Obtain professional liability protection according to CNO’s by-laws (By-Law 44.4)
- Provide an original police criminal record check issued within the last six months
- Contact a potential sponsor organization in Ontario where you would like to complete your SPE and begin making inquiries and arrangements for your practice experience
- Complete and submit to CNO the Supervised Practice Experience Nurse Information Form and SPE Sponsoring Organization, Nurse and Supervisor Agreement Form for review and approval
- Assess your learning needs, using the Quality Assurance Program’s Self-Assessment tool
- Once approved, work with a nurse supervisor assigned by the sponsor organization
- Complete the SPE within a six-month period following CNO’s approval of your application
- Complete and submit the Supervised Practice Experience Completion Form to CNO
There is no minimum number of hours required to complete the practice experience. The amount of time is determined by your learning needs.
In addition, you are responsible for all expenses, such as costs for textbooks, other learning materials and Non-Practicing Class registration fees.
Your accountabilities
Throughout your SPE, you must:
- clearly explain to others, including patients, the capacity in which you are practicing. For example, stating,
“I’m an RN/RPN who has not practiced in the last [x] years. I’m completing a practice experience as part of my requirements to re-enter the nursing profession under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.” - use the protected title, “RN, Non-Practicing” or “RPN, Non-Practicing” in formal documentation
- only provide care you are competent to provide, including performing any of the five controlled acts authorized to nursing
You must not:
- delegate or accept delegation of a controlled act
- supervise, monitor or direct the performance of others, with no exceptions
Completing the evidence of practice experience
You must complete your SPE within a six-month period following CNO’s approval of your application.
Once you complete the SPE, the sponsor organization must submit the Supervised Practice Experience Completion Form to CNO by email to enp@cnomail.org.
CNO will review all information submitted, assess your eligibility for registration in the General Class and contact you about next steps.
If you have questions about participating in a SPE, contact CNO at cno@cnomail.org.
Approaching a sponsor organization
Early in the planning for your SPE, you should find and make arrangements with a sponsor organization in Ontario. It might be helpful to start by contacting your previous employers and local health care organizations.
The practice area you select must enable you to:
- apply nursing knowledge, skill and judgment
- apply CNO’s practice standards and guidelines
- have an impact, whether direct or indirect, on the delivery of health care services to clients
A nurse supervisor, registered as RPN, RN or NP must be available to supervise your practice. Please note that RPNs can be supervised by a qualified supervisor who is either an RPN, RN or NP, whereas RNs can only be supervised by an RN or NP.
Also read: Information for Sponsoring Organization & Supervisor
