Information for organizations

The following information is for organizations interested in providing employment to applicants applying to register in the Temporary Class.

Temporary Class registrants are permitted to practice nursing (with terms, conditions and limitations) while completing their registration requirements for the General Class.

Applicants applying for a Temporary Class Certificate of Registration must have an offer of employment from an approved facility in Ontario.

Read the Temporary Class Guide for more details about an applicant’s eligibility requirements and the terms, conditions and limitations to practice in the Temporary Class.

Organization considerations

CNO accepts offers of employment from the following organizations described as a facility in Schedule 1 (Ontario Regulation 275/94) of the Nursing Act, 1991. To see a list of approved organizations as described in Schedule 1, please refer to the list at the end of this webpage.

Organizations not part of Schedule 1 are assessed for approval by CNO as part of the Temporary Class application process submitted by applicants.To be considered for approval, organizations must:

  • Provide direct client care services
  • Provide formal orientation for registrants (e.g. in relation to policies and procedures, use of electronic health records)
  • Ensure registrants are monitored and directed by at least one nurse registered in CNO’s General Class or Extended Class
  • Support the registrant’s integration of CNO’s standards of practice into their care
  • Support registrants in gaining nursing knowledge, skill and judgment, for example Entry-to-practice competencies
  • Take an individualized approach to onboarding, considering individual learning needs and nursing knowledge, skill and judgment
  • Be aware of the terms, conditions and limitations set out for the Temporary Class
  • Understand their reporting obligations

CNO does not approve staffing agencies because they do not provide direct client services.

CNO also doesn’t approve practice settings where the types of services may impact public safety and the registrant’s ability to practice competently and safely.

If an organization is not approved, applicants can request a review by CNO’s Registration Committee for approval or obtain an offer of employment from another organization. CNO will advise the applicant of why an offer of employment may not be accepted.

Monitoring and directing practice

The practice of a Temporary Class registrant must be monitored and directed by at least one nurse registered in CNO’s General Class or Extended Class and employed by the organization. The nurse acts as a resource, role model, mentor and coach for the Temporary Class registrant.

Monitoring and directing practice may be direct or indirect depending on:

  • The needs of the Temporary Class registrant in relation to the demand of the patient population (e.g., the complexity of the patients)
  • The nature of the required care
  • The degree of competence of the temporary registrant, including their learning needs and experience.

Nurses monitoring and directing a Temporary Class registrant’s practice must:

  • hold a current RPN, RN and/or NP Certificate of Registration in the General Class or Extended Class with CNO
  • understand the terms, limitations, and conditions placed on a Temporary Class registrant’s practice
  • have practice experience and understand what is required to monitor and direct a Temporary Class registrant
  • support Temporary Class registrants in receiving required training, feedback, remediation, and guidance considering their individual learning needs
  • be readily available to consult with and support the Temporary Class registrant as needed
  • not be the subject of any inquiries, investigations, or proceedings with CNO or have an open file with the CNO’s Quality Assurance Program. Employers are encouraged to confirm the status of any nurse, who may be responsible for monitoring and directing a Temporary Class registrant’s practice, on CNO’s public Register on Find a Nurse.

Please note Temporary Class RPN registrant’s practices can be monitored and directed bya qualified RPN, RN or NP, whereas a Temporary Class RN registrant’s practice can only be monitored and directedby either a qualified RN or NP.

Organizations and nurses involved in working with and supporting Temporary Class registrants may find helpful information in CNO’s Supporting Learners online resource.

Temporary Class registrants with an outstanding Nursing Education requirement may meet some competencies through their employment after six months. Organizations may be asked to complete a Verification of Nursing Practice form by the Temporary Class registrant to submit to CNO.

Schedule 1 organizations

CNO accepts offers of employment from the following organizations described in Schedule 1 (Ontario Regulation 275/94) of the Nursing Act, 1991:

Organizations not part of Schedule 1 can refer to the section called Organization Considerations on this web page for details on what’s needed to be considered for approval.

In reviewing offers of employer from Retirement Homes, CNO refers to the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority to ensure that homes are licensed under Retirement Homes Act, 2010.

In reviewing offers of employer from Home Care and Community Care Service organizations, CNO refers to Home and Community Care support Services and other relevant websites to confirm information about home ad community care organizations providing services under the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994.