Vol. 9, No. 2 September 2014

Transcription

1 Vol. 9, No. 2 September 2014 ROLE OF THE SRNA The Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA) is the professionled regulatory body for Graduate Nurses (GN)s, Registered Nurses (RN)s, Registered Nurse(s) with additional authorized practice (RNs with additional authorized practice), Registered Nurse (Graduate Nurse Practitioners) [RN(GNP)s], and Registered Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) [RN(NP)s]. The Registered Nurses Act 1988, ( RN Act ), defines the mandate of the SRNA is to regulate the profession of nursing, to serve and protect the public, to preserve the integrity of nursing and to maintain public confidence. This is achieved by setting the standards for practice, approving RN education programs, registering and licensing RNs, providing a code of ethics, implementing a continuing competence program and ensuring a competence assurance process. REGISTRATION RENEWAL Registration renewal for RNs and RN(NP)s will be available in mid September Completing the online registration renewal form on-line is mandatory for all practicing RNs and RN(NP)s. The registration renewal form is available at SRNA 2066 Retallack Street Regina, SK S4T 7X5 Phone: Fax: Toll Free: info@srna.org To ensure RNs and RN(NP)s receive verification of their licensure for Dec 1, 2015 employers can provide assistance with the SRNA registration renewal by: Providing access to computers in the workplace for RNs and RN(NP)s to complete the renewal form on-line. Notifying RNs and RN(NP)s who are on a leave from work to determine if they are eligible for employer paid renewal fees. Employer Paid Process The deadline for RNs and RN(NP)s to apply for employer paid renewal fees is October 10, The deadline for employers to remit RN and RN(NP) renewal fees to the SRNA is November 10, A representative from the SRNA Corporate Services has contacted health region employers to review the Employer Pay Process to ensure a smooth transition with registration renewals. We will continue to contact other employers before renewal starts in September. For further information on employer remitted fees call Ext. 238 ( ).

2 For questions or concerns please contact the SRNA at: (306) or This is our busy season and there may be delays. We will get back to you as soon as possible. ALL practicing RN and RN(NP) licences will expire on November 30, ON-LINE E-REGISTER AND SRNA VERIFICATION SERVICE Effective July 2013, the SRNA no longer issues paper licence cards to members. To ensure a RN or RN(NP) is licenced with the SRNA and does not have restrictions on his/her licence, the SRNA has an on-line e-register called Find a Nurse (Verification Service) available at Information provided on the e-register will include: first and last name; licensure number; status of licensure, including effective and expiry dates; specialty and an asterisk to indicate if there are conditions/restrictions imposed on the licence. The purpose of the e-register is to help the public identify if an individual providing registered nursing care in Saskatchewan is a Graduate Nurse, Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse (Nurse Practitioner), or Registered Nurse(Graduate Nurse Practitioner) registered with the SRNA. Going electronic with an e-register provides a quality assurance mechanism that is consistent with other RN regulatory bodies across the Canada. This initiative also reduces the risk of fraud in the event that a RNs or RN(NP)s licence is lost or stolen. Information on the e-register is not designed nor is it intended to be used for any other purpose, including marketing or research. The SRNA endeavors to update its e-register within a reasonable time period, however, there may be a delay when updating information. In the event of a discrepancy between the online e-register and the Register held at the SRNA office, the SRNA office Register is the official legal document. For assistance in using the e-register and/or on-line Verification Service please contact the SRNA in Regina at or toll free in Saskatchewan at Have you checked to ensure your RNs are currently licenced by using the Online Verification Service? MEMBERSHIP DATA BASE The SRNA membership database allows members to self-manage their registration and licensure, revise their employer information, hours of work, and to update their contact information on a secure, password-protected website. The member portal is available at under the link Change your personal information. THE RN ACT The Registered Nurses Act, 1988, Section 43: (2) Every employer shall annually review the registration status under this Act of all nurses employed by the employer. (3) Any employer who terminates the employment of a nurse on the grounds of alleged professional incompetence or professional misconduct shall report in writing to the association: (a) the termination of the nurse; and (b) the grounds of the alleged professional incompetence or professional misconduct. Information on the SRNA Competence Assurance Program is available at It is a legal requirement for employers to notify the SRNA if a RN or RN(NP) is terminated from their employment due to professional incompetence and/or misconduct. SEPTEMBER 2014 page 2

3 SRNA PRACTICE HOUR AUDITS As part of its legislated mandate and commitment to the public for safe RN care, the SRNA annually conducts an Hour Audit to ensure RNs and RN(NP)s are maintaining their required practice hours. RNs and RN(NP)s are randomly selected from the SRNA membership database to participate in the hours audit. Maintaining practising membership for RN and RN(NP) practice hours. RN requirements is 1125 RN hours in the previous 5 years RN(NP) requirements are 900 NP Total of which 600 Clinical within the previous 3 years Employers can assist RNs or RN(NP)s who are selected for audit by: Verifying that a RN or RN(NP) is currently licenced to practice. The audited member is provided with a form to sign and forward to their human resource/payroll department authorizing them to complete the form and forward this information to the SRNA. Information on where to send the information is provided with the form. Your cooperation in completing the form and returning it to SRNA is appreciated. The SRNA also audits members to ensure they are in compliance with the continuing competence requirements. RNs ON DISABILITY LEAVE RNs must have worked at least 1125 hours in the previous five years to be eligible for registration. To maintain registration eligibility, RNs on disability leave have several options, including: Participating at CNE workshops Taking classes towards a certificate/degree in nursing Volunteering Participating on health boards If you know RNs who are on disability leave, please have them contact or locally Practising membership must be maintained in order to count RN and RN(NP) hours. GRADUATE NURSE (GN) LICENCES Alert: Graduate Nurse (GN) Licences for graduates of registered nursing education programs All graduates of nursing programs working in Saskatchewan must have a graduate nurse (GN) licence. The GN licence expires after four months with opportunity for two four month extensions. GNs new to the profession and adjusting to their clinical role may forget to request an extension of their licence. Recently, SRNA managed several occurrences where graduate nurses (GNs), from outside of Saskatchewan, had been working without a GN licence while employed in the GN scope of practice, in Saskatchewan. Provision for GN membership is made in The Registered Nurses Act, 1988, Section 20. Persons applying for a GN licence must meet all of the registration requirements as determined by SRNA Council and administered by the Registrar. Practcising without a GN licence is in violation of The Registered Nurses Act, 1988 and there is no liability coverage....continued next page SEPTEMBER 2014 page 3

4 EPTEMBER We would like to ask employers to confirm that GN employees, from Saskatchewan or outside of the province, are licensed prior to a GN initiating clinical practice. Please check the e-register available at Find a Nurse for confirmation that a GN has a current practising GN licence. In order to practice in any employment setting a GN must obtain a GN license. A GN licence is a temporary, four-month licence with two possible four-month extensions, available until the GN has passed the October 2014 Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) or beginning in 2015, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). It is the responsibility of a GN and their employer to make sure an extension is in place before an expiry date for a GN licence occurs. Please refer to the website how-to-apply/register/gn-gnnp/extension-one for instructions on to how to apply for a GN licence extension. The SRNA document Guidelines for Graduate Nurse Practice, 2012 provides information on the scope of GN practice. GN Licences should be available from the SRNA approximately 15 business days after the last day of the student s nursing education program. No person shall knowingly employ or continue to employ a person who is not a registered nurse or a graduate nurse to perform the practice of registered nursing. The Registered Nurses Act, 1988, Section 43(1) NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION (NCLEX) Changes are coming to the national licensure exam. Effective January 2015, the NCLEX will replace the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam (CRNE) as the national registered nurse licensure exam. This means a computer adaptive exam which allows graduates flexibility in scheduling a writing date and becoming licensed as a RN much more quickly. The Canadian Council of RN Regulators (CCRNR) has been working closely with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to ensure that Canadian nurses are involved in the exam development process. The SRNA has been working closely with educators to ensure that the transition to the NCLEX is smooth. A recent practice analysis was conducted by NCSBN to investigate the applicability of the 2013 NCLEXRN Test Plan to Canadian nursing graduates. It surveyed Canadian entry-level RNs and found similar results with those obtained from the U.S. This means that the NCLEX being administered in January 2015 will appropriately test the knowledge, skill, and judgment of Canadian graduates. For more information, please visit or www. ncsbn.org Starting in January 2015 a GN must pass the NCLEX in order to be eligible to work as a RN. Nation Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN): NOTE: The changes outlined below do not apply to Canadian-educated RNs endorsing a licence from another province. Changes to the Examination and Eligibility for Registration/Licensure Process Effective January 01, 2015, the NCLEX-RN will replace the CRNE as the national Registered Nurse (RN) licensure exam for those applying to be a registered nurse. The last CRNE exam writing will be on October 01, Applicants who pass the CRNE will not be required to take the NCLEX-RN. Applicants who fail the October exam, and have not used up their three writing attempts, will be required to take the NCLEX-RN the next time they enroll to write the RN exam before the end of SEPTEMBER 2014 page 4

5 SRNA previously received applications from graduates for registration and for eligibility to write the CRNE. Graduates were required to meet all eligibility requirements to be scheduled for and sit the CRNE. Assessment Strategies Inc., (ASI) provided paper test booklets for each writing date. SRNA made arrangements in securing test centres in Regina and Saskatoon, three times per year, in addition to assigning seating for each exam. SRNA is pleased to commence new processes with the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), provider of the NCLEX-RN, and Pearson VUE, computerbased testing provider for the NCLEX-RN. The new registration process overview for GNs is outlined below. REGISTRATION PROCESS OVERVIEW 1. Submit an application for licensure/registration to the regulatory body where the graduate wishes to be licensed/registered. 2. Meet all of the regulatory body s eligibility requirements to take the NCLEX-RN. 3. Register for the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE. 4. Receive NCLEX-RN Registration Acknowledgement from Pearson VUE. 5. The regulatory body makes the GN eligible in the Pearson VUE system. 6. Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE. 7. Schedule exam with Pearson VUE. Fast Facts about scheduling the NCLEX-RN: Registration for the NCLEX-RN opens on November 03, Canadian candidates registering during this period will be able to schedule appointments on or after Jan. 5, Canadian candidates may sit for the NCLEX-RN at any Pearson Professional Centre (the permanent test sites) in Canada, any Temporary Test Centre and any Pearson Professional Centre located in the United States. Appointments at permanent Pearson Professional Centres are available year round. Once candidates are made eligible for the exam by the regulatory body, they can select any test centre in which to write the NCLEX-RN. Candidates will schedule their NCLEX-RN using the Pearson VUE website or by phone with Pearson VUE s call centre. SRNA invites you to visit the NCSBN website ( to find additional resources. We have provided some links below to help get you started. Do you have additional questions about the NCLEX-RN coming in January 2015? Overview of NCLEX-RN Examination The NCLEX-RN uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) to administer the exam. What is CAT? Canadian Educators and Students FAQs NCLEX-RN Communique provides up-to-date information about the Canadian transition to the NCLEX- RN RN. NCLEX-RN Communique summer SRNA has created a NCLEX-RN Student Nursing corner on our Facebook page at Our Facebook link is found on the lower right corner of the home page. Additional resources may be found here, including links to a Candidate Bulletin, online tutorial, and test blueprint to help students prepare to write the NCLEX-RN. A virtual tour of a test centre can also be conducted form the link provided on our website. We strongly encourage all graduates, employers, recruiters SEPTEMBER 2014 page 5

6 EPTEMBER and other stakeholders to understand and become familiar with these changes. We welcome discussion on the proposed changes and how this may impact your recruitment process. Please contact Barbara Fitz-Gerald, Manager of Regulation and Policy at ext 229 or or by at NNAS the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) NOTE: The changes outlined below do not apply to Canadian-educated RNs endorsing a licence from another province. Changes to the Internationally Educated Nurses Application Process The application process for internationally educated nurses (IEN) is changing. Starting August 12, 2014, internationally-educated nurses who want to work as a registered nurse in Canada will use a new streamlined application process. This new process standardizes many of the requirements for applicants seeking registration and licensure in every province, except Quebec. Applicants will send their documents and credentials to the NNAS. NNAS will complete a document assessment for all applicants. Then the NNAS will notify applicants that they can apply for nursing registration and licensure in the province of their choice. If applicants wish to apply as an RN in Saskatchewan, they would then apply to Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA) to complete the assessment of their eligibility. For most applicants, this includes a Substantially Equivalent Competency (SEC) assessment. We strongly encourage all new IEN applicants, employers, recruiters and other stakeholders to understand and become familiar with these changes. We have included a chart below outlining the major steps in the internationally educated nurse (IEN) application process. Learn more: We welcome discussion on the proposed changes and how this may impact your recruitment process. Please contact Karen Turner, Manager of Regulation and Policy at SEPTEMBER 2014 page 6

7 ext 212 or EXAMINATION DATES Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) October 1, 2014 (Note this is the final writing for the CRNE). National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) Saskatoon- permanent writing center for all nursing education programs leading to a RN designation in Saskatchewan. First examination date will be January 5, Regina- temporary writing center. Dates to be determined. Canadian Nurse Practitioner Examination (CNPE) October 15, 2014 Update NP Exams - Pediatric and Adult Specialties The Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) is pleased to announce that Canadian jurisdictions are approving the following adult and pediatric nurse practitioner (NP) examinations effective spring of 2014 for NP registration/licensure in their jurisdiction: i) American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) Adult- Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Examination (A-GNP PC) for candidates in the adult stream. ii) Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) - Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care (PNCB PNP) Examination for candidates in the pediatric stream. Bylaw approval by September The CCRNR ended its contractual agreement with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide the adult and pediatric exams to Canadian applicants as of February 28, The ANCC exam provider will still be offering their exams to those applicants in the United States and other countries. Graduate Nurse (GN) Licences should be available approximately 15 days after the last day of the student s program. Registered Nurse (Graduate Nurse Practitioner) [RN(GNP)] licence A RN who has completed an SRNA approved education program must write the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam/American NCC exam in order to be eligible for a RN(GNP) licence. Graduate nurse practitioners can work in a variety of settings, including primary care and acute care. In areas where a RN(GNP) is employed, a RN(NP) registered with the SRNA or a physician in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan must be at work and available to direct the work actions or performance of the RN(GNP) in a collaborative practice. A RN(GNP) is required to have all prescriptions, diagnostic tests, and referrals co-signed by a supervising RN(NP) or physician. The RN(GNP) will also be required to consult with the supervising RN(NP) or physician prior to making any diagnosis or treatment regime. A RN(GNP) licence is valid for eight months with one possible extension. Both examinations are valid, reliable and address the Canadian competencies expected for the practice of entrylevel NPs. SRNA expects to have Ministry of Health SEPTEMBER 2014 page 7

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9 SRNA Continuing Competence Program (CCP) The CCP document can be found at under the RN Competence link/continuing Competence Program, continuing-competence All practicing members including RNs, GNs, RN(NP) s and RN(GNP)s are required to participate in the CCP. Focus is on the four mandatory components: completing a personal assessment; obtaining feedback; developing a learning plan and completing an evaluation of the learning activities. New for 2015: The RN(NP) personal assessment form has been revised to incorporate both the RN and RN(NP) competencies into one document. The change is a result of the feedback SRNA received during the CCP review. Forms for the personal assessment, obtaining feedback and learning plan are available from the SRNA website, RN Competence/ Continuing Competence link. The forms can be completed on-line and then downloaded to personal computers for the retention of the documents. SRNA practicing members are encouraged to review the new document and contact a SRNA Nursing Advisor at practiceadvice@srna.org with any questions. Through the fall of 2014, education sessions will be available. Please visit for more information. Compliance with the Continuing Competence Program is mandatory SRNA Bylaw Revisions Bylaws were approved by the membership at the May 7, 2014 Annual Meeting. The revisions are available on the SRNA website. About_Us/SRNA_2014_Bylaw_amendments_for_ Annual_Meeting.pdf The RNs Leading Change project encompasses the project work pertaining to the RN with additional authorized practice (including the Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR), RN Specialty Practices, and RN Scope of Practice. RN with Additional Authorized Practice RNs in northern primary care settings in Saskatchewan deliver valued health care services to the residents of the north. They are able to provide these nursing services as they have obtained the necessary competencies in either their basic education program or through additional specific post basic education, typically provided by their employer. These RNs have been able to perform activities that are not nursing i.e. medical activities, through additional education and the SRNA Transfer of Medical Function process. When this process is dissolved at the end of 2016, other processes will be in place to cover the additional nursing activities and also the medical activities. Basic nursing services will remain the same, additional nursing activities will become RN specialty practices and most medical activities will be brought into the scope of the RN with additional authorized practice. The actual services that the future RN with additional authorized practice will provide and consist of basic RN practice (e.g. dressing changes, vital signs, immunizations), RN specialty practices supported by an employer procedure or clinical protocol (e.g. treatment of anaphylaxis), and also the management of limited common medical disorders as outlined in the SRNA Clinical Decision Tools (CDTs). The processes may be different than what exists today, but the goal is a seamless transition as we move into the future. The TMF process will not be dissolved until there is a critical mass of RNs with additional authorized practice who will continue to provide northern residents with primary care services. We continue to work with our key stakeholders throughout the province, but especially in the north providing updates and identifying potential barriers to the successful implementation of all phases of the project. SEPTEMBER 2014 page 9

10 EPTEMBER RN Specialty Practices RN specialty practices will be supported by either a procedure or clinical protocol. Provincial standardization of these pivotal documents would be best practice, and to facilitate this, the Ministry of Health has provided support for RN representatives from around the province to meet and discuss standardization. Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR) The PLAR workbook has been completed by the SRNA PLAR committee of RNs, and RN(NP)s and will be finalized once the list of CDTs has been confirmed. The anticipated start date of the PLAR process is January Two RN(NP)s have been hired to provide informational sessions and to help prepare northern nurses complete the PLAR process. In addition, two RN(NP)s will be hired as assessors once the PLAR process begins in January. The physical assessment and clinical drug therapy courses were reviewed for approval by the SRNA Nursing Education Program Approval Committee at the end of August. The clinical decision making course will be reviewed and approved later this fall. These three courses will be available for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for PLAR, or for those who are unable to successfully meet the competencies required of an RN with additional authorized practice. The physical assessment and clinical drug therapy courses will be available to members starting in September Each course will be 13 weeks in length and may be taken concurrently. The physical assessment and clinical drug therapy courses will be pre-requisites for the clinical decision making course (15 weeks long), and will be available to members in January Courses will be available on-line and where possible, labs and clinical components will be delivered as close as possible to the home community. RN Scope of Practice The new Standards for the Scope of Registered Nursing Practice document is almost complete. We are currently incorporating stakeholder feedback and want to express our thanks to everyone who took time to offer their insights. We are targeting a release date this fall. See the SRNA website for more detailed information on the project Please contact me if you have any questions: Linda Muzio, RN, BScN, MSA lmuzio@srna.org RN Specialty Practices: A new model to replace Special Nursing Procedures and Transfer of Medical Function is coming! Since 1993, the SRNA document, The Registered Nurse Scope of Practice Special Nursing Procedures and Nursing Procedures by Transfer of Medical Functions, 1993 has set out the criteria that allow RNs to perform Special Nursing Procedures (SNP) and Transfer of Medical Functions (TMF). The Medical Professions Act (1981) does not support physicians in delegating their authority for medical functions. This means the TMF process must end. After extensive research and consultation, the SRNA has created two processes that will allow RNs to safely provide the required care, and will allow for the continuation of current services being provided by RNs. These include the: 1. RN with specialty practices and; 2. RN with Additional Authorized Practice. Documents are being created to clarify the professional responsibility and accountability for each role including: Standards, Competencies and Clinical Decision Tools for the RN with Additional Authorized Practice; and Standards for RN Specialty Practices. A draft of the latter document and other resources are available at srna.org/index.php/component/content/article/17-mainsection/259-leading-change-specialty-practices SEPTEMBER 2014 page 10

11 The Authority to provide RN Specialty Practices The authority to practise as a RN in Saskatchewan is defined in The Registered Nurses Act (1988), [the RN Act]. Clause 2(k) of the RN Act (p.3) describes the practice of registered nursing as the performance or coordination of health care services which includes a number of roles and responsibilities. These include but are not limited to: observing and assessing the health status of clients, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care, counselling, teaching, supervision, and administration. Subclauses (iv) through (vi) of the RN Act identify that a RN acquires an increasing level of specialized knowledge, skill and judgment in order to obtain the level of critical thinking required to safely and competently provide a specialty practice. Specialty practices include specialized competencies that are required by a RN in order to provide skills, treatments or interventions that are unique to a practice setting. They are built upon the foundational competencies obtained from an entry-to-practice RN education program. The SRNA document, Standards for RN Specialty Practice, sets out specific standards for RN practice, the responsibilities for the SRNA, employers and physicians, and provides criteria that must be met in order for a specialty practice to be implemented. This document is available on the SRNA website under RNs Leading change, Specialty practices content/article/17-main-section/259-leading-changespecialty-practices Reference The Registered Nurses Act, 1988, Ch R-12,SS Retrieved from English/Statutes/Statutes/R12-2.pdf SRNA Workplace Representative Educators Did you know the SRNA has a program that teaches members to provide SRNA based educational presentations to RNs? Workplace Representative Educators provide presentations on the CNA Code of Ethics, Documentation, Medication Administration, Mobile Devices and the SRNA Standards and Foundation Competencies and Continuing Competence Program. Presentations can be requested by contacting links@srna. org. For more information please contact Terri Belcourt, RN, Nursing Advisor, Member Relations, at tbelcourt@ srna.org. The SRNA thanks employers who are support Workplace Representatives to participate in this program and our members for volunteering to be a part of this project. This document is ready for SRNA council approval in the fall, and will be brought to the practicing membership for their review and approval at the May 2015, SRNA Annual meeting in Saskatoon. It is targeted to come into full effect at the end of The SRNA is currently working with employers and members with the transition to RN Specialty Practices. Contact an SRNA Practice Advisor at practiceadvice@srna. org with questions on specialty practices. SEPTEMBER 2014 page 11