Entry-level competencies
Inspire Global Assessments assesses competencies that an entry-level nurse or Healthcare Aide needs to practice safely and effectively in Canada.
To prepare for your assessment, make sure you understand and can apply the entry-level professional competencies for which you are being assessed:
Assessment components
The Inspire assessments have two basic components: a computer-based assessment (CBA) and a simulation lab assessment (SLA). Both the CBA and SLA ask you to engage in different situations, such as:
- Workplace setting
- Life span
- Client health status
Review the Blueprint to understand the components of these assessments better.
Candidate's Guidelines
Please review our Candidate’s Guidelines for a comprehensive resource on the following:
- Inspire Competency Framework
- Assessment design
- Getting ready for Inspire assessments
- Understanding the Inspire Performance Report
Computer-based assessment (CBA)
To learn more about the CBA format and what to expect on assessment day, review Computer-based Assessments.
To view our video tutorial explaining the different question types that may be found on the CBA, please click here.
Sample CBA questions
The following are sample CBA questions for each nursing or healthcare aide profession:
Simulation lab assessment (SLA)
SLA Orientation video
- The Inspire Global Assessments SLA Orientation video shares what you can expect on assessment day. It provides an overview of the rules and procedures you’ll be expected to follow.
SLA Orientation
Orientation Videos – Equipment
- The Inspire Global Assessments SLA Equipment video orientation for LPNs and RNs is aimed specifically at those taking the LPN or RN assessments. The video shows the room setup at the Inspire Assessment Centres and the materials, supplies and equipment you may see during your assessment.
- The Inspire Global Assessments SLA HCA Equipment video orientation familiarizes you with the materials, supplies and equipment HCAs may see during that assessment.
RN LPN Equipment Orientation
SLA HCA Equipment video
SLA Nursing Charts
We recommend reviewing sample materials you may receive at the simulation lab stations. Review form templates that may be used during the simulation, or that can be found in the chart. Once you enter the simulation room, you will have an allocated time to review the patient chart. You may make notes (paper will be provided), though these notes will not be scored unless specifically noted.
Understanding Nursing in Canada
These resources offer background information on health-care professions in Canada:
Essential Skills Profile
Essential Skills Profiles describe how workers in health care use each of the nine essential skills: reading, document use, writing, numeracy, oral communication, thinking, digital technology, working with others and continuous learning. Search: Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates.