Agency Practice Direction FAQ
Refer to the Practice Direction: Registered Nursing Agency Practice document as the sentinel source of agency practice expectations.
If you require additional clarification or have other questions regarding agency nursing practice, please contact selfemployed@crnm.mb.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rationale for implementing a practice hour requirement for agency nursing practice?
Agency-registered nursing practice requires registrants to have a high level of independence, clinical competency, and flexibility. Practice environment stability and the consolidation of knowledge, skills and judgment are important factors that contribute to safe and effective client nursing care.
Do the practice hours have to be completed within a specified time?
The College only requires registrants to meet a threshold of 2,015 Canadian registered nursing practice hours. There is no time frame assigned for meeting the practice hour threshold. For example, hours can be accrued over a year of full-time employment or several years.
Do the required practice hours need to be completed in a specific practice setting?
There is no specific practice setting requirement for where they are obtained as long as it’s within a Canadian jurisdiction and are RN hours.
How do I verify that I’ve met the 2,015-practice hour requirement?
Registrants can verify their self-reported practice hours by logging into their CRNM profile. The profile will reflect hours worked from 2024 and earlier.
If your self-reported practice hours, along with any newly accrued hours since the end of the 2025 renewal period, are 2,015 or more, you have met the agency’s practice direction threshold for hours worked.
Can my Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) hours count toward the 2,015-hour requirement?
Only those practice hours that count towards your registered nursing certificate of practice renewal would meet the College’s agency practice hour requirements. Any registered nurse (RN) practice hours performed in a Canadian jurisdiction would count towards the 2,015-hour requirement; however, LPN practice hours would not qualify.
Can my senior practicum hours count towards the 2,015-hour requirement?
Only those practice hours that count towards your registered nursing certificate of practice renewal would meet the College’s agency practice hour requirements. Any clinical hours performed before receiving your registered nurse (RN) certificate of practice would not qualify; this includes a senior practicum.
I worked with an agency before this practice direction took effect. Am I grandfathered in and exempt from the 2,015-hour requirement?
Like other new or revised practice directions, the agency practice expectations apply to all registrants regardless of when they commenced their registered nursing practice.
Do I need to submit an Agency Nursing Declaration form?
Registrants who work with an agency as employees or independent contractors must submit an Agency Nursing Declaration form. The form contains instructions for completion and submission.