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CNO makes significant changes to registration regulation
Ontario solution will enable more nurses to practice safely in Ontario
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is proud to share a significant proposed change to nursing registration in Ontario.
CNO protects the public by promoting safe nursing practice. This includes registering nurses who are qualified to practice safely whether educated in Canada or internationally.
“Nursing is a constantly evolving profession and we need to keep pace to ensure we can continue to register nurses who are safe to practice in this province. That’s why we are so proud to propose solutions to ensure that nurses from around the world can register in Ontario, if they can demonstrate the knowledge, skill and judgment to practice safely,” says Silvie Crawford, CNO’s Executive Director and CEO.
CNO is resolutely committed to ensuring applicants experience registration processes that are evidence-informed, fair, inclusive and effective. This is why we are focusing on making changes to our education requirements for registration.
We know, through our engagement with applicants, education is the biggest barrier to becoming registered as a nurse in Ontario.
“CNO is always adapting and remains current by exploring environmental scans, system needs and data to create fair and equitable solutions that make our application processes effective and efficient for nursing applicants,” says Crawford.
CNO is proposing changes to registration regulations that, if approved by CNO’s Council and government of Ontario, will enable applicants to meet the education requirement if they complete relevant nursing education recognized or approved in any jurisdiction. Applicants also will be required to complete a course to support their successful integration into Ontario’s health care system.
“These proposed changes will make an incredible difference in reducing barriers to registration for our internationally educated nurse applicants, while also contributing to increasing human health resources to support the health system,” says Crawford.
CNO works with employers who have different roles in supporting the nursing profession. Together we uphold quality and safe nursing practice.
“Patient safety is a collective responsibility that involves partnership, including the public,” says Carol Timmings, CNO’s Chief Quality Officer and Deputy Registrar. “If approved by CNO Council and government, we know collaboration with nurse employers and educators will be of paramount importance as we implement this Ontario solution.”
During the next few months, CNO will draft regulations and engage nurses and other partners for input. CNO aims to bring these regulations to Council for approval in September 2023.
Stay tuned to CNO News and our social media channels, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter, for future updates on this exciting initiative.
