All applicants who apply to PEICNM must meet eligibility criteria outlined in Section 12 of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and further defined in the Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) Regulations.
The internationally educated nurse (IEN) application process is available to nurses educated outside of Canada who are applying to be registered as LPNs in Prince Edwards Island (PEI). This application process is designed to meet the needs of international applicants.
Applicants who have not successfully completed a practical nursing program approved by the Council of PEICNM must have their nursing credentials assessed to determine if the Council will consider their nursing program substantially equivalent to a practical nursing program approved by the Council. If an applicant requires further education to attain the competencies required for practise as a LPN in Prince Edward Island, this application pathway may include access to a refresher opportunities.
Recognizing that most countries do not have a practical nursing profession, the application process provides opportunities for IENs to prepare to meet the expectations of the LPN profession in Prince Edward Island. IEN applicants must complete the application process and be issued an advisory report with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). The NNAS Advisory Report is issued to the PEICNM within five (5) days of all documents being received by the NNAS.
Eligibility for Registration
Applicants who have received an advisory report from NNAS may contact the PEICNM to complete the application form and pay the application fee to apply to the PEICNM.
Applicants are required to
- provide proof of entitlement to work in Canada as a Licensed Practical Nurse
- meet reasonable proficiency in English Requirements
- have successfully completed a nursing education program approved by Council or successfully completed a program that the Council considers substantially equivalent to a program approved by Council
- successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)
- meet legislative currency requirements for professional knowledge and skills
- have no outstanding complaints before, or ongoing restrictions or penalties imposed by, a professional regulatory body for misconduct, incompetence or incapacity
CurrencyRequirements
The Licensed Practical Nurses Regulations defines currency as: 1) successful completion of an approved nursing education program in the last three years, 2) active practice of practical nursing without any restrictions for at least 1000 hours within the five years immediately preceding the date of the application, or 3) successful completion of a refresher program acceptable to PEICNM.
If currency requirements are not met, an applicant may meet the requirements for a Provisional Registration.
Provisional Registration
A Provisional Registration allows an applicant to engage in a refresher program acceptable to PEICNM which when successfully completed will allow the applicant to meet the currency requirement.
CPNRE
An applicant may apply for eligibility to write the CPNRE when the applicant has
- entitlement to work in Canada as a Licensed Practical Nurse
- reasonable proficiency in English
- successfully completed a nursing education program approved by Council or successfully completed a program that the Council considers substantially equivalent to a program approved by Council
- met legislative currency requirements for professional knowledge and skills
- no outstanding complaints before, or ongoing restrictions or penalties imposed by, a professional regulatory body for misconduct, incompetence or incapacity
*Once the CPNRE application has been approved and the CPNRE fee has been paid, the applicant may choose to apply and pay for a graduate practical nurse (GPN) registration which allows the applicant to practice under supervision while writing the CPNRE and awaiting the results of the CPNRE. The GPN registration is subject to supervision by a Licensed Practical Nurse with a general registration. *Graduate Practical Nurses who pass the CPNRE, are issued a general registration.
Applicants may also choose not to seek registration while writing the CPNRE and waiting for the results of the CPNRE but rather apply directly for general registration upon passing the CPNRE.
Applicants receiving an advisory report from NNAS, may contact PEICNM at info@peicnm.ca to receive further instructions and appropriate forms for completion.