Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) FAQs
What is IENCAP?
The IENCAP (IEN Competency Assessment Program) is a standardized examination designed to test the knowledge, skills and communication abilities of an Internationally Educated Registered Nurse. It consists of:
For more details: http://www.touchstoneinstitute.ca
Why have I been asked to complete an OSCE?
After assessing your academic credentials the College has determined that your nursing program does not meet the program equivalency requirement for Ontario registration. You have been be asked to complete an Objective Structured Clinical Examination to demonstrate your nursing knowledge, skills and judgement before the College can proceed with your application. Administered at the Touchstone Institute (formerly known as the Centre for the Evaluation of Health Professionals Educated Abroad) in Toronto, the OSCE gives applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their nursing knowledge, judgment and skills.
How does the OSCE work?
How many times can I do the OSCE?
One time only!
It is critical that you prepare in all 3 areas:
How can CARE Centre help me prepare for the OSCE?
Workshops:
Self-Study:
What is the cost of the OSCE evaluation?
At this time, there is no charge to take the OSCE.
However, there is a $200 administrative fee that will be refunded after the College receives confirmation from Touchstone Institute of your completion of the OSCE evaluation.
Can I change my OSCE date?
Yes!
Contact Touchstone Institute. All candidates changing their examination date will be charged an administration fee. Please note all date change requests must be received at least 30 days prior to any scheduled exam. All exam date changes are contingent on availability.
What areas are assessed in the MCQ?
The IEN Objective Written Exam (MCQ) consists of questions based on five RN Entrance to Practice Competency Domains:
What areas are assessed in the OSCE?
The blueprint for the OSCE is based on the National Competencies in the Context of Entry-Level Registered Nurse Practice. Skills and knowledge assessed may include:
When will I get the results?
In approximately eight weeks, the College will receive the evaluation results. These results will determine whether the applicant has demonstrated entry-to-practice competencies in order to meet the program requirement.
What if I fail the OSCE?
Unsuccessful applicants with identified entry-to-practice competency gaps will be advised of additional training they will need to complete in order to meet the program requirement.
Who do I contact if I have any other questions about the OSCE?
Contact your CARE Centre case manager for questions regarding preparation for the OSCE.
For questions about the examination itself, including upcoming testing dates and directions to the testing centre, contact “Touchstone Institute (www.touchstoneinstitute.ca)” at 416 924-8622 or email info@tsin.ca.
Contact the College of Nurses of Ontario for questions about the registration process, including questions about how to appeal a decision requiring you to take the OSCE.
Information for applicants who have already passed the NCLEX-RN exam: On September 18, 2014, the Council of the College of Nurses of Ontario passed a motion to accept successful NCLEX-RN exam writes from the beginning of 1982 to the end of 2014. If you are a current RN applicant who applied to the CNO before that date, and you can show the CNO you successfully wrote the NCLEX-RN within that timeframe, then you have met the examination requirement.
However, as for all RN candidates, their nursing program will be assessed to determine equivalency to a Canadian baccalaureate nursing program. Should the assessment indicate the applicant has unmet competencies they may be offered the opportunity to complete the IENCAP and may be required to take additional courses to meet the CNO “nursing education ” requirement.
If you are a CARE Centre member and have questions, contact your Case Manager. Review NCLEX information on the CNO website: http://www.cno.org/en/become-a-nurse/entry-to-practice-examinations/nclex-rn/.
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) joined 22 nursing regulatory bodies across Canada to launch the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). When NNAS’s Web portal went live on August 12, all internationally educated applicants to the CNO were directed to submit their applications and pay their initial assessment fees to NNAS within a secure online environment. A project nine years in the making, NNAS is the beginning of a national approach to the assessment of Registered Nurse and Registered Practical Nurse applicants who (a) completed their nursing education outside of Canada and (b) are not currently registered to practise as a nurse within Canada.
Benefits to applicants will include the ability to:
Here are five key points to remember about NNAS and how it will work with the CNO to provide greater transparency and timeliness in its application processes:
The CNO is working to ensure all its systems and processes accommodate the transition to NNAS. This includes re-assessing application and registration fees to ensure the CNO continues its commitment to a revenue-neutral fee structure. The CNO is also communicating this change to the process through their website and direct communications with applicants. Further information about NNAS will be available at www.cno.org/nnas .
General Recommendations:
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: I am out of safe practice for longer than 5yrs. I must take all elements. It states that the elements will meet CNO English fluency. Will this still be so if I complete elements late next year?
Question 2: If I already have a safe practice date from CNO, will this be affected?
Question 3: I am a RPN and want to apply for RN eligibility, how will the change affect me with regard to safe practice?
Question 4: What is this jurisprudence exam that is mentioned and how does this implicate my application?
Question 5: How will the CNO changes affect my current application and do I need to complete the registration process by December 31. 2012?
Question 6: I have received the regulatory alert sent by CARE Centre; do I need to respond to CARE Centre or contact CNO to find out about what CNO is requesting of me for my current application?
Question 7: My application was received by CNO in 2010 and I received my letter of direction (LOD) in 2011. I am planning to sit the Exam (RN) in February, 2013. Will the application limitation period of 2 years affect me? If yes, does it mean come January, 2013 I will need to reapply?
Question 8: I have a Competency Assessment Supplement (CAS) that I have not yet completed. Will the CNO accept it after the December 31, 2012 deadline?