Programme in connection with Bill 90: clarifications are needed
The employers have started giving the 25-hour training programme in connection with Bill 90. Remember that this programme is an update or professional improvement on the assessment of the physical and mental condition of the user. However, several unfounded rumours have started to circulate in the workplaces. It is time to set the record straight.
The initial evaluation
Some call it “the pretest”. In reality, it is an evaluation to determine the training needs of the nurse regarding the assessment of the physical and mental condition. It is not a test to measure the competence or incompetence of the nurse regarding her work.
The score of 75%
The score of 75% is a threshold for determining if the nurse needs updating or professional improvement on the assessment of the physical and mental condition of the user. Therefore, a score of 75% and higher indicates that the nurse has the skill and does not need an update or professional improvement on this subject. A score of 74% and less indicates a certain need for updating or professional improvement. Note that the employer or the employee can request a total or partial exemption. It is not an exam with a passing grade indicating a pass or failure.
The training
This updating or professional improvement is like any other in-service training. Why is it necessary? Because not all the college training programmes include this assessment of the physical and mental condition course. Therefore, there are nurses with a college diploma who have never taken this course during their studies. So, it is normal that the nurses will need this training, it being supplemental knowledge to their initial training. This course is now integrated into the college training. This is why the nurses who are recent graduates, those who did the DEC-BAC programme and the nurse clinicians are exempt from it. This course will enable all the nurses to carry out all the reserved activities under an Act to amend the Professional Code and other legislative provisions as regards the health sector. Therefore, it is not training aimed at penalizing the nurses who have failed an exam.
Evaluation after the training
This evaluation will take place about 6 months after the participant will have finished her training. The questionnaire used will be the same as that used in the initial evaluation. The purpose of this post-training evaluation is to verify if the training was useful to the nurse and if supplemental training or support would be useful. It is not a test to measure the competence or incompetence of the nurse as regards her work.
Accredited training
This training is duly accredited by the OIIQ for purposes of continuing education. The training will be given by the employer, but it is accredited by the University of Laval. Each participant must make the request to the university if she wants to receive a certificate. Note that this university charges $30 to issue a certificate. It was always clear that this updating or professional improvement would be done without cost to the nurses involved. We are currently in discussions with the Comité patronal de négociation de la Santé et des services sociaux (CPNSSS) about this subject.