Q “I will be hiring several new RN graduates this spring. What are the restrictions on a temporary licence?”

A Congratulations on your decision to hire new nursing graduates! The benefits that these new graduates will bring to your organization are many. Some benefits include added enthusiasm, current knowledge of best practice, and an opportunity to strengthen mentoring relationships within your unit.

There are a few things you need should know about a new graduate holding a temporary licence.

The College may issue a temporary licence to an applicant who is:

Eligible to write the CRNE, or
Waiting for CRNE results, or
Enrolling in a post-RN course in Nova Scotia

By issuing a temporary licence to a new nursing graduate the College is enabling the new graduate to engage in the practice of nursing for a maximum of six months and to use the designation “nurse” but not “registered nurse”. It is important to note that an applicant seeking a temporary licence must have an offer of employment in Nova Scotia requiring a nursing licence before the College is able to issue a temporary licence.

As a new graduate with a temporary licence, s/he must not:

take a charge role;
count narcotics with another temporary licence holder; or
perform delegated functions.

As a nurse practising with a temporary licence, a new graduate is covered for professional liability insurance through the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS). This individual is accountable to practise within the requirements of applicable legislation, the position for which they have been employed and for their nursing competencies.

While a temporary licence may be issued to an individual for a maximum of six months, the individual is no longer eligible for a temporary licence if s/he does not pass the CRNE. The temporary licence is rescinded or cancelled on the date the:

temporary licence expires;
notification is received that the temporary licence holder has failed the CRNE;
temporary licence holder becomes licenced; or
temporary licence is suspended or revoked under the professional conduct process.

For more information please visit: FAQs on a Temporary Licence

Please send your questions related to legislation, scope of practice, standards, etc., to one of the College’s highly qualified Practice Consultants at askapracticeconsultant@crnns.ca.

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