Once students have graduated from a practical nursing program, they must prepare to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE). Provincial regulatory authorities require graduates to take and pass the exam in order to prove they possess the competencies required to practice in the field.
While an entire program's worth of knowledge will ultimately help a student gear up for the exam, practicing some common test-taking strategies beforehand can help people apply their knowledge to the format of a standardized test.
Most Canadian provinces in the nation use the CPNRE to measure the level of competence of practical nursing graduates. The exam ensures that candidates possess the competencies required to practice safely and effectively, according to the official website of Assessment Strategies, Inc, the company that administrates the test. The company collaborates with practical nurses, practical nurse educators and administrators across the Canada to develop and validate the exam before distributing it to students.
Candidates who write the CPNRE will answer questions based on three competency categories: professional, ethical and legal matters; foundations of practice; and collaborative work. Each question addresses a level of cognition in the student, including knowledge and comprehension, application and critical thinking.
The CPNRE is an important part of the preparation it takes to become a practical nurse. Vancouver Career College's Practical Nursing program provides a comprehensive education that prepares students to write the exam. For more information, fill out the form on the right.