In January, Commissioner Me André Gariépy then had two hypotheses: either that includes the exam[ait] methodological flawseither the training of the candidates, or some of them, is not[vait] not adequately prepared for the exam.

However, after a more thorough analysis, André Gariépy makes damning observations.

” The validity of the exam is compromised, the reliability of the exam is low (the quality of the questions is at stake) and the pass mark has been increased without adequate justification. »

As of September 2022, the pass rate for all freshmen was 51.4%, one of the lowest ever. As of 2018, the success rate has typically ranged from 71% to 96%.

Reactions within the student community and teaching network have been strong.

Mr Gariépy recalls this More than 500 future nurses had a technical failure in September 2022.

In January, the Commissioner had recommended that the OIIQ postpone the next examination session, scheduled for March 2023, but the organization had kept it in place until then Application of administrative tolerance and new relaxation measures.

The results of the March 2023 audit are expected by mid-June.

Called to respond, said the OIIQ We fully recognize that the filing of this report will raise questions from candidates awaiting their results for the March 27 exam, as well as those preparing for the September exam session. He promises he won’t will respond to the report soon.

Political Reactions

Political reactions were not long in coming in the National Assembly, where work continues on the Bill 15 study, aimed at making the healthcare network more efficient.

It is certain that we cannot afford to be without 500 nursescommented Health Minister Christian Dubé.

For Parti Québécois health spokesman Joël Arseneau, These conclusions are startling […] in the midst of an unprecedented nursing emergency.

15% success rate for internationally trained nurses

According to OIIQ, the number of permits issued each year has fluctuated between 3,000 and 4,200 over the past ten years. Last year, about 22% of that was issued to graduates outside of Quebec, particularly from France.

Commissioner Gariépy notes a high failure rate among candidates trained outside of Quebec, a worrying situation for those educated outside of Quebec, whose pass rate was 15% as of September 2022he said.

Quebec has been running a major overseas nurse recruitment offensive for several years.

Within two years, approximately 1,000 students recruited from Africa will have completed their nursing training in Quebec. To this end, a $65 million program was launched in February 2022 by Ministers Jean Boulet and Christian Dubé.

On the way to compulsory baccalaureate?

In preparing his report, Commissioner Gariépy commissioned an independent expert to assess how the pass mark for the exams had been determined.

That’s what he saw first The Order had decided in 2021 to systematically raise the pass mark above the mark set by the agreed method for an examination (…) without sufficient justification.

His investigations also revealed that the college’s pass grade group is small (only 10 people) and not diverse enoughreads one of the reports.

It consists entirely of individuals with a teaching background and a B.Sc and there are no full-time practitioners or individuals with only a DEC in Nursing.we specify.

For the officer for admission to the profession the debate about DEC or BAC training colored the survey

According to Me Gariepy, there is a coded language in the order that is not related to the DEC, although that is the legal standard for access to education. If you need a high school exam, take one. If that’s the problem, make one.

Last year, the OIIQ made a request to the Office des professions du Québec to require the next generation of health professionals to earn a university degree.