Continuing Competence Program FAQs

The Continuing Competence Program was developed to fulfil the requirements of the Registered Nurses Act which was proclaimed in 2001. The Act requires that all registered nurses in Manitoba complete the Continuing Competence Program and comply with the requirements of the program.

No, in order to provide maximum flexibility and feasibility the College has decided not to use this approach. The Continuing Competence Program requires the completion of a self-assessment and a self-development plan. This allows you to choose a wide number of learning activities based on your learning style in your areas of practice.

No, you will still be required to practice 1,125 hours of registered nursing practice in the past five (5) years or 450 hours of registered nursing practice in the previous 2 years/1,800 hours of registered nursing extended practice in the past three (3) years or 600 hours of registered nursing extended practice in the previous year or have completed an approved education program in addition to the new requirements of the self-assessment and self-development plan.

None. You will only need to provide your documentation if requested by the College. Beginning in 2005, the College will randomly select members each year to take part in an auditing process. You are required to keep your documentation for five (5) years.

Criteria for the auditing process include:

• Member demonstration of participation in the Continuing Competence Program for each practice year;
• Linkages between self-assessment priorities selected and self-development goal(s) and learning activities;
• Evidence of completion of learning activities and evaluation of learning on the impact on nursing practice;
• Indication of relevance of self-development plan to practice setting and role; and
• Correlation between continuing competence activities and corresponding evidence identified during the audit.

If you are registered in another Canadian province, you will need to apply for registration. You will be provided with a Continuing Competence Package and asked to begin the process of completing the self-assessment and self-development plan.

The purpose of the review of continuing competence documents is to determine members' completion of the continuing competence program. Consultation will be offered if you need assistance.

You will need to reflect on both your last nursing experience and your needs in relation to the area you will be working in. What orientation will your employer provide? What else will you need to know to feel comfortable working in that area? Do you need to enhance on your knowledge of the care of patients with specific diseases? What about the procedures, skills, and equipment you will need to be proficient in? All of these needs can be incorporated into your self-assessment and self-development plan so that as you return to work, you can be prepared and the transition will go smoothly.

Any registered nurse who wishes to remain on the practicing register must complete the requirements of the program. If you retire and plan on maintaining your practicing status, you will need to continue to meet the requirements of the Continuing Competence Program.

During your self-assessment, you must select at least one indicator as your priority focus for your self-development plan through out the upcoming year. You may find that many indicators that you have identified can be used for one goal or that several goals are necessary to address the indicators that you selected as areas for development. You may change your indicators mid year due to a change in job or events in your nursing practice. Document your reasons for the change in your records.

The number of activities in your self-development plan will be directed by your self-assessment of your practice. For example, if you have just moved into a new role, you may have a number of self-development goals and associated activities.

The College will not be approving your learning activities. The activities will be determined by your self-development goals. If you are asked to submit copies of your continuing competence documents, we will be looking to see if your learning activities fit your goals. We will not be specifying a particular learning activity or number of learning activities.

If the indicators in the College self-assessment are not indicative or reflective of your practice, focus on the stem statement of the standards. Determine what indicators would be reflective of your nursing practice and how you achieve the standards. Feel free to develop indicators that personalize the standards for you. Feel free to use other tools such as specialty standards or self-assessment tools available from other regulatory bodies.

The individual RN has the professional obligation and primary responsibility for continuing competence. However, as an employer you also have a responsibility to support employees and educators. This can be achieved by asking staff about their learning needs and appropriate learning activities that could enhance their practice. Providing or facilitating educational opportunities is one of the ways employers can support nurses in continually developing their knowledge and skills. Professional development can be enhanced by employers and nurses collaborating to develop appropriate educational opportunities.

The College has links to academic programs, workshops, conferences and internet resources on the College website. You may also want to check with your facility library, staff development personnel, community resources such as short workshops offered in the community and talk to experts in the area you wish to access that are aware of conferences or other opportunities.

If you do not complete the continuing competence requirements you will be contacted by the College to discuss your plans for completion.