Streamlining and Adding Flexibility to the Reinstatement Process for Former Registered Nurses in Manitoba 

WINNIPEG – The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (the College) today announced a suite of significant and progressive changes as part of its ongoing commitment to streamlining the overall pathway for former registered nurses to return to the health workforce in Manitoba. The announcement, made together with the Government of Manitoba, the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba, offers former registered nurses (RNs), along with licensed practical nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, significant new opportunities to return to the workforce with greater flexibility in meeting registration requirements. 

Effective February 28, 2024, former RNs who have been registered in Manitoba in the last five years will have more ways to meet the requirement to demonstrate currency of practice, which is an essential part of maintaining safe registered nursing practice.  

“We are providing significantly more flexibility for former RNs to return to practice while adding appropriate measures to ensure protection of the public receives safe nursing care,” said Deb Elias, CEO/Registrar. “We know that former RNs can play an important role by returning to practice in today’s dynamic and challenging healthcare environment, and we are committed to working with our partners in government and across the health system to help address the health human resource challenges in Manitoba.” 

Currently, one of the ways that RNs can demonstrate they meet this requirement is by having practiced as an RN for at least 450 hours in the past 2 years, or 1125 hours in the past 5 years. Last February, the College implemented a change allowing those who were short 100 hours or less of the requirement to demonstrate currency by completing 100 hours of supervised practice within 60 days of reinstatement at a designated employer in the public health system . This change meant these applicants would no longer be required to undergo a clinical competence assessment (CCA). 

The changes announced today will extend the option for supervised practice to former RNs who have been registered in Manitoba in the past 5 years, and where they meet one of the following requirements: 

• They have practiced a minimum of 225 hours in the past 2 years; 
• They have practiced a minimum of 750 hours in the past 5 years, and must complete some required coursework that can be completed while working with a conditional registration; or
• They have practiced a minimum of 750 hours in the past 7 years and must complete some required coursework prior to being eligible for conditional registration. 

Note that the above pathways to reinstatement require verified RN practice within Canada during the respective time periods (see section 2 of policy AA-6 for more information). Applicants for reinstatement can also demonstrate they meet the currency of practice requirements by having passed the NCLEX-RN exam in the past 4 years, or by undergoing a CCA and, if required, by successfully completing any required courses in the Nurse Re-Entry Program (NREP) at Red River College Polytechnic (RRCP). For more information, please see the attached graphic demonstrating how an applicant can demonstrate currency of practice. 

In alignment with these changes, the College will also recognize verified practice in Manitoba in the past seven years as proof of English language proficiency, instead of potentially requiring an English language test result meeting the required minimum test scores. 

Infographic: Accepted Measures of Currency of Practice

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For more information, please contact: 

Martin Lussier
Manager of Communications & Public Initiatives
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
204-789-0662
mlussier@crnm.mb.ca 

See section 2 of policy AA-6 for full details.