The Order of Nurses of Quebec (OIIQ) has just announced flexibility measures for its exam which will take place in March. It removes the obligation for candidates to practice the nursing profession (CEPI) to register for the test and offers those who fail an additional attempt, “even if this has the effect of ‘exceed the maximum number of planned tests’. CEPIs will also benefit from more time to complete the exam.
The OIIQ recommends that CEPIs do not wait for the arrival of the NCLEX-RN — a test used in the United States and elsewhere in Canada — to take the professional exam. On its website, it indicates that its implementation is suspended “for an indefinite period” due to “work to improve the current admissions exam”.
The Order is also putting “on ice” its plan to make a baccalaureate in nursing science compulsory to enter the profession, information revealed by Radio-Canada and confirmed by The duty. “We are devoting all our efforts to improving the professional exam,” explains Marine Detraz, senior public relations advisor for the OIIQ.
The Order has been under surveillance since the results of the September 2022 exam were revealed: the success rate then rose to 51.4% among candidates taking it for the first time (19.5% among graduates outside Canada). Following this high number of failures, the commissioner for admission to professions, André Gariépy, carried out an investigation. He reported last May the “flaws and [les] fragilities” of the ordeal.
Since then, the Office des professions du Québec has appointed a “supporter to the OIIQ” — the former Québec Ombudsman Marie Rinfret. Last September, the pass rate for the exam reached 69% among candidates who took it for the first time.
Measures welcomed
The National Federation of Teachers of Quebec (FNEEQ–CSN) says it is satisfied with the relaxation measures announced. The vice-president responsible for the CEGEP group, Yves de Repentigny, believes that these will help calm anxiety among CEPIs who are preparing for the exam. “There is a glaring shortage of nursing staff in the health network and obviously anything that can contribute to the entry into the profession of as many candidates as possible, we see that in a very positive light,” he adds.
Yves de Repentigny also welcomes the “sidelining” of the NCLEX-RN. “The American exam is not adapted to the reality of the Quebec health network. Even more so for French speakers. The example of New Brunswick clearly demonstrated this: the rates were catastrophic among Francophones following the adoption of this exam,” he asserts.
The FNEEQ-CSN hopes that the OIIQ will “definitely stop its senseless and irresponsible crusade” against the college diploma (DEC) in nursing in favor of the baccalaureate as the entry standard into the profession. “There may be more skills [à acquérir] than before, recognizes Yves de Repentigny. Does that mean they are university level? Not necessarily. »
Her union has been calling for a review of the DEC in nursing for years. “We think that the DEC in nursing, once revised, will make it possible to train nurses who have everything it takes to meet the needs of the Quebec health network. » In the province, 46 of the 48 CEGEPs offer this training.