RN Practice Hour Audit
This section gives an overview of the practice hour audit, purpose and process.
Practice Hour Bylaw
Under CRNS Bylaws, Bylaw V, Section 3(1)(a), ‘To maintain eligibility for registration as a practising member, a nurse must: work in registered nursing activities approved by the association for at least 1125 hours in the five-year period immediately preceding the registration year for which registration is sought’. Example, to be eligible for a 2016 registration, an RN must have worked at least 1125 RN hours; from December 1, 2010 - November 30, 2015 inclusive.
Under Bylaw VI, Section 3(8)(a), ‘To maintain eligibility for registration in the nurse practitioner category, a registered nurse must: work in nursing practitioner activities approved by the association for at least 900 hours (600 of which must be clinical practice) in the 3 year period immediately preceding the registration year for which registration is sought’. Example, to be eligible for a 2016 registration, a NP must have worked at least 900 NP (600 clinical) hours from December 1, 2012 - November 30, 2015 inclusive. NP’s must also maintain RN Licensure and meet the 1125 RN hourly bylaw requirement in a five year period immediately preceding the registration year for which registration is sought.
Practice Hour Audit Process
The CRNS has a legislative responsibility to ensure that practicing members meet the hourly bylaw requirement. The Audit Program serves this purpose. Compliance with the hourly bylaw requirement serves to ensure that Saskatchewan RNs and NPs remain competent in nursing skills, knowledge and judgement. Members are selected at random, to participate in the CRNS Audit Program. Members are notified by letter along with an audit form. The top section of the form is to be completed and forward to their human resource/payroll office. The signature, on the audit form, authorizes human resource/payroll to complete the form and forward the information directly to the CRNS Office of the Registrar.
Once information is received and verified the member is sent a thank you letter with the employer-verified hours. To date, discrepancies in self-reported hours and employer-verified hours have been extremely minor and are usually the result of vacation leave, sick leave and overtime issues. For further information e-mail: register@crns.ca
DECLARING AND REVISING HOURS
During registration renewal period (mid September to November 30), a practicing member must declare hours of practice for the previous year. If a member doesn’t have practice hours for a year he/she should state zero (0) hours on the renewal.
Members may revise their hours at any time during the five-year period, by submitting a dated and signed letter including your RN number, correct number of hours worked and which year should be adjusted. This can be sent to renew@crns.ca. Employer verifications are required for the hourly practice audit, or if a member does not reach the hourly bylaw requirement and request an extension.