Terms, Conditions and Limitations

Registrants practicing in the Temporary Class must:

1. practice in an approved facility identified on their Temporary Class registration form and only within the scope of employment of that facility.
2. be monitored and directed by a nurse registered in the General or Extended Class.
3. not perform a controlled or authorizing act, unless the act is ordered by an authorized practitioner. To learn more read, CNO’s Scope of Practice standard.
4. not supervise, monitor or direct the performance of a controlled or authorized act or the practice of another nurse in any class.
5. not accept delegation of a controlled or authorized act
6. not delegate a controlled or authorized act to any other person
7. identify themselves as  “Registered Nurse (Temporary)” or “RN (Temp)” when holding a temporary certificate as an RN, or “Registered Practical Nurse (Temporary)” or “RPN (Temp)” when holding a temporary certificate as an RPN.

In addition, Temporary Class registrants are subject to the following terms and limitations:

1. Temporary registration expires in the following situations:
   • on the date the certificate of registration expires. CNO will send a message to the Registrant of this date upon registration in the class.
   • after successful registration in the General Class or
   • after CNO receives confirmation that the Registrant has failed the registration exam a second time.
2. Registrants must provide a copy of the Verification of Registration letter to all potential employers.
3. Registrants must inform CNO if their employment is terminated or suspended for any reason, or if they choose to leave their job.

Performing controlled acts

Temporary Class registrants cannot perform a controlled act unless the act is ordered by a physician, dentist, midwife, chiropodist, or nurse practitioner.

Nurses are authorized to do the following controlled acts:

1. perform a prescribed procedure below the dermis or a mucous membrane
2. administer a substance by injection or inhalation
3. dispensing a drug
4. 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
   • into an artificial opening in the body.
5. Treating, by means of psychotherapy technique, delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning.

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 (see Scope of Practice for more information).

Monitoring and directing Temporary Class registrants

Monitoring or directing the practice of Temporary Class registrants  may be direct or indirect depending on:

• the registrant's needs in relation to the demands of the patient  population (e.g., the complexity of the patients
• the nature of the required care
• the degree of competence of the temporary registrant.

The employer is responsible for having sufficient resources to provide direct or indirect monitoring, consultation and collaboration to the registrant. The level of monitoring and directing required will vary according to the registrant’s learning needs, experience, expertise and familiarity with the practice setting.

A Temporary Class registrant is responsible for:

• the care they provide
• identifying situations where they require monitoring or directing
• identifying learning needs
• negotiating a plan to meet their learning needs.
• complying with CNO's standards and guidelines, along with the terms, conditions and limitations of their Temporary Class certificate of registration.

Page last reviewed February 23, 2024