The Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) is the national voice of Canadian nursing students. We are individuals, chapters, and lifetime/honorary members representing the interests and passions of students studying to be Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Practical Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across Canada. Read more about us!
CNSA Media Release! CNSA speaks out against issues regarding changes to the RN entry-to-practice exam
Saskatoon, Wednesday, January 25, 2012 – The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) is alarmed by the decision of Canadian nurse regulators to engage in negotiations with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), an American corporation, to create a new RN entry-to-practice exam. “As Canadian nursing students, we are worried that an American company will not be in the best interest of Canadian students and will be unable to meet our unique needs that encompass our national competencies, health care values, beliefs, issues, culture, and context” said CNSA president Evan Jolicoeur.
The method of development is currently unclear and messages are being misconstrued. “It is felt that this decision has been made without the proper consultation of relevant stakeholders” said Jolicoeur. “We need to be presented with accountable and transparent decision making to understand what we should expect with this new entry-to-practice exam and what our contributing role can be in this process”.
“We want the Canadian nurse regulators to procure a Canadian developed RN entry-to-practice exam that encompasses our needs” said Jolicoeur. “In addition, we want nursing students to be consulted and registered nurses and advance practice nurses to have a leadership role when discussing issues of high importance that directly affect the requirements to become a member of our professional body”.
Canadian nursing education is highly respected worldwide. CNSA encourages Canadian nursing students to continue to practice in Canada. At this point, it is not clear how a new exam will affect the image, standards, and mobility of Canadian nursing students. “Canadian nursing students do not want to pay an American corporation for the privilege of practicing as a Registered Nurse in Canada” said Jolicoeur. “Furthermore, Canadian nursing students fear that their personal information has the potential to be abused by a foreign government as it would be subject to the United States Patriot Act”.
“The decision regarding the Canadian RN entry-to-practice exam directly affects the future of quality health care that will be provided to Canadians by effectively changing the testing to entry-to-practice competencies” said Jolicoeur. “Such a drastic change jeopardizes what it means to be a Canadian nurse”.
The Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) is the national voice of nearly 30 000 Canadian nursing students. We are individuals, chapters, and lifetime/honorary members representing the interests and passions of students studying to be Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Practical Nurses, and Advance Practice Nurses across Canada.
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CNA Media Advisory! Canadian Nurses Association speaks out for a made- and owned-in-Canada RN entry exam - AVAILABLE HERE
SPEAK OUT ON THE CRNE! Letter from CNSA Board of Directors re: CRNE Decision
December 19th, 2011
Dear nursing students/members of CNSA,
As the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) Board of Directors, we wish to share our serious concerns about upcoming changes to Canada’s RN entry exam. Since the announcement on December 2, 2011, in which ten of Canada’s provincial and territorial RN regulators chose the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) — an American organization — to develop a new Canadian computer-based RN entry exam, we have received overwhelming emails, Facebook messages, tweets, and various other types of messages from you, our membership, indicating your concerns. This decision means that by as early as 2015, the current Canadian exam, the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE), will no longer exist.
The fact that RN candidates will be writing an exam developed in the United States is worrisome. Students don’t want to pay an American company for the right to be an RN in Canada. RN regulators have a responsibility to set and maintain standards that support the delivery of safe, quality health care that meets the needs of the public. Their decision raises a number of issues including:
What will this mean for our Canadian-based curriculum? Currently students across the country use primarily Canadian authored materials (textbooks, literature, and best practices) that reflect Canadian nursing and health care values, beliefs and issues.
Why were students and educators not consulted prior to this decision, and what assurances do we have that they will be consulted AND involved in the process of implementing a new exam?
How will an American organization offer Canadian RN candidates a culturally sensitive English and French exam that will fairly and accurately assess their ability to provide care in Canadian settings?
How will an exam developed by users of a very different, predominantly private system ensure that the unique character and values of the Canadian health system, and the many specifics of our health services and providers, are reflected? What assurances do we have that this will not just be a Canadianized version of the existing American exam?
Can the regulators ensure that confidential information about Canadian nurses is not included in any database subject to the USA Patriot Act? How will they allow Canadian students’ personal information to be collected, used, and stored in the United States?
These are critical questions that must be addressed by the regulators, as they are accountable for any contract they undertake with NCSBN. Please pay attention to the development of the new Canadian RN entry exam to ensure the regulators consider all the immediate and long-term implications of partnering with a company outside of Canada. This issue is fundamental to the safe and effective professional-led regulation of our profession, and ultimately the delivery of quality care to Canadians.
We as students have the right to be involved in something that will be affecting us, and the possibly the future of nursing in Canada, and as your representatives we are taking action (hyperlink youtube video). As nursing students and future nurses we value inclusiveness; thus this highly non-transparent process leading to this decision can no longer be discussed behind closed doors. We must collaborate and be consulted for the betterment of our profession. Speak out, write a letter to your Minister of Health, and speak with your professors and Deans. Most importantly, let our collective student voice be loud and clear, as the future proud faces of Canadian Health Care!
Sincerely,
CNSA Board of Directors 2011-2012
PS: Continue sending us your feedback, questions, or concerns via your Regional Directors. Also check our website, Facebook, and Twitter for up-to-date information on this issue and others.
CNA ON THE CRNE: Message from the Canadian Nurses Association
The development of a new Canadian computer-based RN entry exam has been granted to an American organization. By as early as 2015, the current Canadian exam, the CRNE, will no longer exist. Visit cna-aiic.ca to speak out and stand up for a made-in-Canada RN entry exam. CNA president Judith Shamian speaks out.
Canadian nurses shocked at American announcement - Media Release - Available HERE.
Concern grows over adoption of American registered nurse exam - Media Release - Available HERE.
NurseONE CONTEST! Enter to win one of three $500 prizes!
Enter NurseONE’s “nursing students register to win” contest for your chance at one of three cash prizes! It’s easy! Simply register and complete your profile on NurseONE. Contest runs December 1, 2011-January 30, 2012. Visit NurseONE now to enter!
NEED FOR NATIONAL DEMENTIA STRATEGY? Canadians must act now to avoid catastrophy for a million Canadians and their families
OTTAWA – Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle introduced legislation today for a national dementia strategy, invoking the memory of his mother and over 500,000 Canadians already ravaged by Alzheimer's and other related dementia diseases.
Gravelle profiled his mother Leona's story, painfully familiar to Canadians facing dementia. “Long before her death at 83 in 2003, she first started forgetting appointments and things on the stove. It deteriorated to forgetting to take medication, to language loss, and changes in mood and behaviour. We were helpless watching a mild-mannered woman at times turn aggressive and seeing part of her true self slip away. My dad also suffered, learning to sleep with one eye open.”
Gravelle was joined by NDP Health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East), NDP Seniors critic Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) and Alzheimer advocates.
“Existing federal programs, research funding, support and income assistance pale in comparison to the enormous and rapidly escalating health, economic and social impacts of this devastating disease,” said Debbie Benczkowski, interim CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. “On behalf of Canadians with dementia and their families, we urge all parties to work together to pass Mr. Gravelle’s bill.””
"The Conservative government needs to take immediate action and provide comprehensive long-term and community care options to support those living with chronic illness," added Davies. "A National Dementia Strategy is desperately needed, and should be a cornerstone in guiding the implementation of a long-term and community care programs."
“With a rapidly expanding seniors population, 9.8 million Canadian seniors by 2036”, investments for programs and research into seniors’ health and well being must being now,” said Mathyssen.” Inaction is not an option. The federal government can and must take the lead.”
According to the Alzheimer Society’s landmark report Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, released in 2010, without government action dementia costs to the Canadian economy will increase tenfold – from $15 billion a year to $153 billion a year – over the next 30 years.
“Alzheimer's is not part of normal aging,” Gravelle said. “Together, let's champion a national dementia strategy.”
NATIONAL TEAM! Get involved at National Conference 2012 and make an impact - apply HERE!
NURSES SPEAK UP FOR INSITE! Nursing groups appeared before the Supreme Court on May 12, 2011 in support of Insite, Vancouver's supervised injection facility. Click here to read the press release!
A message from CNSA President Evan Jolicouer:
Nursing representatives will be meeting to speak for the importance of the Insite case before the Supreme Court of Canada. We need to stand together as Nursing students to protect valuable resources to at risk populations. It is our duty to advocate for issues such as Insite, as they are fundamental to the values that we hold close to our hearts as nurses, and nursing students.
CHECK OUT THE FORUMS! my CNSA is a great place to discuss nursing issues with students from across Canada, and connect with CNSA members!
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WE'RE ON YOUTUBE! Do you have videos from previous National/Regional Conferences, other CNSA events, or nursing-related projects?
Check out our new Youtube Channel - CNSA needs YOUR videos to fill it with! If you have a contribution, please forward it to informatics@cnsa.ca for BoD approval so we can post it online!
