Important message from CNA president Judith Shamian

A recent decision by 10 of Canada's RN regulators granted the development of a new Canadian computer-based RN entry exam to an American organization. By as early as 2015, the current Canadian exam, the CRNE, will no longer exist. Visit http://www.cna-aiic.ca to speak out and stand up for a made-in-Canada RN entry exam.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• CNA
• Canadian Nurses Association
• president
• Judith Shamian
• CRNE

[alisonlandre]

Wow, I am truly embarresed of our CNA president. All you are doing is fear mongering and US bashing. I would assume the CNA was a bidder in the RFP and as such are you not in conflict as a potential bidder? The exam will not be American, it will have Canadian content. The CNA has had 10 years to get up to date and create a computer-based exam and they have yet to do it. Where is the open disclousre Judith?

[reskeljke]

This is for the DEVELOPMENT, but is it for the ADMINISTRATION of the exam? Does it include the development of questions/content, or simply the implementation of a computer-based version of the current paper-based exam? Is this simply a question of which computer designer is putting the words on the page?

Let's not jump to conclusions and doomsday scenarios, when the American organization may only be putting the existing content in a new format.

Also - was there a Canadian-made alternative?

[snowflakemtn]

Can you tell me if American Content is so paramount, WHY YOU, Judith, GOT YOUR MASTERS AND DOCTORATE degrees in 2 AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES???? Perhaps you should redo them in Canada since, according to you, USA exams are not "Canadian " enough? I have written both exams and see no difference. It's not like they quiz us on the American system. Nursing principles and knowledge base is similar between USA and CAN.

[NurseEducatorBC]

Nurses in Canada, I am but one, will decide our Canadian curriculum in nursing, what we learn, our ways of being as Canadian nurses, and our ways of knowing as Canadian nurses. When I graduated as a diploma RN from a 3 year hospital based RN program from Newfoundland in 1982, the CRNE then was changed in 1980 to a comprehensive Canadian exam.We used to write NLN exams- National League of Nursing exams- American. The exams became Canadian in 1980. To me, we take ownership of our exams back.

[brckr1]

@alisonlandre I agree, as a Canadian nurse, who has worked in the USA for 10 years due to a lack of employment here, I have seen many highly qualified, well trained nurses south of our border. In coming back to Canada to work, I realized we are years behind the US system. The CNA and provincial boards have become out of touch with the boots on the ground and have created a God like empire with noses in the air, with 300 million in the states, I believe they are very capable..!

[VoiceOfAnRN]

As RN professional body, we need more information than what you as an individual is providing. May I remind you of A-D-P-I-E... and transparency. RNs we are critical thinkers and can figure out our own conclusions. We need information to make an informed assessment first. I think you are jumping to conclusions FOR us and way too promptly.

[alisonlandre]

HugsnDisses1, I urge you to contact your provinical nursing regulator and ask them for a fact sheet about this topic. You will then find answers to your questions. The regulators have thoughtfully and critically considered this topic. The CNA has had 10 years to create a computer based exam, but they haven't made any progress. Now they have the lost the right to administer the exam (losing millions of dollars in the process). You can't always accept everything at face value.

[HugsnDisses1]

Proud that the CNA is asking questions. I don't care who won the bid, I want answers. We are not American nurses, we don't work in the American system and we don't want to be tested by American standards. The details are important and the NCLEX is not necessarily the best exam with the highest standards (who's standards?). I see no fear mongering here, just critical thinking about complex issues. Stop being petty and personal and think about what Judth is asking the decision makers to consider.

[brendalesyk]

I agree with you completely. When I received an email from our licencing body, I was immediately concerned about the effect this will have on nurses in Canada, and that does not even begin to address the privacy concerns. Thank you for speaking out about this.



[Kaalec]

Ms. Shamian, you are doing nothing but showing of your remarkably parochial attitude. And attempting to fear monger diminishes the organization you purport to represent. As another commenter posted, get over it. To which I would add, get over yourself while you're at it. Shameful.

[Eriesmuse]

All of this needs to be put in proper perspective. Any professional licencing entry to practice exam, with high stakes, must test for the competencies deemed necessary for safe practice, then built and delivered by experts in examination and testing, (and this is one vendor internationally recognized for its expertise in professional examinations). CNA- get over it- its not about turf- you are a professional advocacy group and as such, should not control or deliver exams.