We’re modernizing how we assess applicants

Informed, fair, inclusive and effective. These are the goals of our applicant assessment processes, so they contribute to improved access to safe nursing care. To get there, we’ve started modernizing the process we use to assess applicants.

“We are relentlessly focused on modernizing our applicant assessment process to ensure the health care system has access to skilled nurses needed to deliver safe, quality care,” says Anne Coghlan, CNO’s Executive Director & CEO.

Our goals are to make the way we assess applicant information more efficient and update relevant policies. As well, we aim to reduce the time it takes for an applicant to become registered. This is one of the outcomes of our new Strategic Plan 2021-2024.

During the modernization process, we will review an applicant’s journey to registration, including an in-depth assessment of and updates to our language proficiency, evidence of practice, nursing education and police criminal record check requirements. We’ll also look at how testing and external assessments affect the process.

We’re starting our modernization by launching a new program aimed at reducing barriers to meeting our evidence of practice requirement for applicants. This new initiative with Ontario Health, called, Supervised Practice Experience Partnership, helps applicants complete the nursing practice experience needed to meet the evidence of practice required to register as a nurse.

“In December alone, we registered 850 nurses,” adds Coghlan. “With the launch of the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership, we are providing an immediate response to the workforce needs of the Ontario health care sector, while maintaining our focus on public safety.”

The pandemic highlights the need to quickly adapt to shifting demands in the health care system, while ensuring public safety. With a growing need for nurses in the province, this program facilitates access to supports needed to complete final registration requirements for eligible applicants while keeping the public safe.

Throughout the year, you will see more changes to the applicant assessment process, including a new Language Proficiency policy that will come into effect in March. This change will allow applicants to demonstrate language proficiency in new ways, in English or French.

Visit CNO’s trending topic on Modernizing Applicant Assessments for ongoing updates.