Audit Program
Under Bylaw V, Section 3(1)(a) of The Registered Nurses Act, 1988 & Bylaws 2003, in order to maintain eligibility for registration as a practising member, a nurse must work 1125 hours in the five-year period immediately preceding the registration year for which registration is sought. For example, to be eligible for 2004 registration, a nurse must have worked at least 1125 hours from December 1, 1998 - November 30, 2003 inclusive.
In 1995, the Registration & Membership Committee - now an SRNA Staff Advisory Committee - developed a framework and proposed an action plan to implement the SRNA Audit Program. In February 1996, SRNA Council approved the recommendation of that committee which states "the Association shall conduct annual audits of submitted documentation pertaining to registration requirements." An article appeared in the July 1996 issue of ConceRN to advise members of the SRNA Audit Program and, in October 1996, the program was implemented. An updated article appeared in the April 2002 issue of the Newsbulletin.
Members may revise their hours at any time during the five-year period by drawing a line through the old amount and correcting it on their renewal form. If the renewal season has passed, and you notice that the RN hours of work shown are incorrect, please provide - in writing to the SRNA - your RN number and the correct number of RN hours worked. Your signature - whether on the renewal form, or in a signed letter - certifies the information to be true and correct. The only time employer verifications are required is during an audit, or if a member does not reach the 1125 hourly bylaw requirement and requests an extension.
Members are routinely - on an annual basis - requested to accurately report approved RN hours of work. We realize that hours reported and hours audited may vary slightly because of sick leave, vacation leave and overtime issues. The only purpose, however, of our Audit Program, is to ensure compliance with the SRNA's legal obligation that members meet the 1125 hourly bylaw requirement.
Members are selected at random, by computer, to participate in the SRNA Audit Program. They are notified by letter. They complete the top section of the audit form, sign it and forward it to their human resource/payroll office. Their signature, on the audit form, authorizes human resource/payroll to complete the form and forward the information directly to the SRNA.
The RN is sent information regarding the employer-verified hours. To date, discrepancies in RN hours reported and employer-verified hours have been extremely minor and are usually the result of vacation leave, sick leave and overtime issues.
The SRNA has a legal obligation to ensure that members meet the 1125 hourly bylaw requirement. We believe that compliance with the hourly bylaw requirement also serves to ensure that Saskatchewan RNs remain competent in nursing skills, knowledge and judgement.
For further information please contact: Registration Dept., Deb Walker at 359-4227 (Regina) or 1-800-667-9945, ext 227 or e-mail: dwalker@srna.org.
Last Updated: May 4, 2008