A new report shows that CNO registered more new nurses in 2021 than in any year since 2018, and the greatest number of new internationally educated nurses (IENs) on record. The boost in registrants comes at a significant moment as the health care system continues to respond to COVID-19.

The New Registrants Report, previously called New Members Report, offers details on the number of nurses who registered with CNO for the first time. It shows that in 2021, CNO registered 12,449 new nurses — that’s a 19% increase from 2020, and more than a 15% increase from 2019. The total number of new nurses registered was about even with 2018, when 107 more nurses registered.

Starting Friday, July 1, 2022, all nurses will be able to perform point-of-care tests. Regulation changes, which the Ministry of Health announced on Feb. 19, 2022, will make nurses’ authority to perform point-of-care tests clear.

During these difficult and challenging times, you have been asked to adapt quickly and do more than ever before.