Niagara College’s most recent Practical Nursing graduates completed the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) and, once again, showed great success.
Sixty students who graduated from Niagara College in October 2014, wrote the exam in January 2015 and achieved a 92% pass rate overall.
The Examination Performance Profile by School indicated that Niagara College graduates met or exceeded the jurisdiction (provincial) scores in each of the 10 categories on the exam. Niagara College graduates also met or exceeded national scores in nine out of 10 categories.
“These results are significant as they are a testament to the quality of the curriculum, of the professors and clinical supervisors and the Niagara region clinical placements/clinical partnerships,” said David Veres, acting associate vice president, Academic. “These results are a reflection of our commitment to student success and our ability to live out ‘Enriching lives and Fulfilling Dreams.’”
About the CPNRE
This exam is set by a Canadian Examination Body and is written by Practical Nursing graduates across the county. It is overseen in Ontario by the College of Nurses of Ontario and must be written by any graduate of a Practical Nursing program in Ontario to be able to practice as a Registered Practical Nurse in Ontario. It is only written once but every year the RPN must declare to the College of Nurses that they have engaged in activities that allow them to remain current in their practice. Only those passing the exam may use the title Registered Practical Nurse or RPN according to the Ontario RHPA, Registered Health Practitioner Act.
Candidates are tested in three areas: Cognitive, Competency and Client Age, which are subdivided into 10 categories including (Cognitive Level) knowledge/comprehension; application; and critical thinking; (Competency) Professional, Ethical and Legal Practice; Foundations of Practice; and Collaborative Practice; and (Client Age) neonate to adolescent; adult; older adult; and age not specified.
Niagara College graduates also exceeded the provincial average on their scores in September and January 2014.
Details of the CPRNE process and requirements can be found at www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/entry-to-practice-examinations/rpn-exam/
