IENs register in record numbers: 2021 New Registrants Report

A new report shows that CNO registered more new nurses in 2021 than in any year since 2018, and the greatest number of new internationally educated nurses (IENs) on record. The boost in registrants comes at a significant moment as the health care system continues to respond to COVID-19.

The New Registrants Report, previously called New Members Report, offers details on the number of nurses who registered with CNO for the first time. It shows that in 2021, CNO registered 12,449 new nurses — that’s a 19% increase from 2020, and more than a 15% increase from 2019. The total number of new nurses registered was about even with 2018, when 107 more nurses registered.

Regulatory change expands patient access to point-of-care tests

Starting Friday, July 1, 2022, all nurses will be able to perform point-of-care tests. Regulation changes, which the Ministry of Health announced on Feb. 19, 2022, will make nurses’ authority to perform point-of-care tests clear.

This regulatory change grants all nurses an explicit exemption under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act to perform point-of-care tests without receiving an order or directive to do so.

Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) currently perform point-of-care tests, and the regulation makes clear they can continue to do so. The regulatory change also represents an expansion for Nurse Practitioners (NPs), who currently don’t have the authority to perform point-of-care tests.

Conducting point-of-care tests and collecting specimens can be part of the patient’s plan of care, and can help diagnose and formulate treatment plans for patients in a timely manner. Point-of-care tests ...

Spotlight

Practice reflection during a pandemic

During these difficult and challenging times, you have been asked to adapt quickly and do more than ever before. This has likely impacted your practice in unexpected ways. That’s why reflecting on your practice is still so important, even though it might not seem like a priority during the pandemic.

Reflecting on a challenging workday can help you regroup and reset. It also can determine if you need or want to make changes to strengthen your nursing practice for your next shift. It doesn’t have to be a long, complicated process. Reflection can be as simple as taking a few minutes every day to consider what you did well, what you need to learn more about and what you would do differently in the future.

IENs register in record numbers: 2021 New Registrants Report

Regulatory change expands patient access to point-of-care tests

Practice reflection during a pandemic

College of Nurses of Ontario