Does application for citizenship secure PR?

[releasethestar]

I am currently a permanent resident (family, wife is citizen) that has met my days required for citizenship and applied for citizenship back in January. My 5 year mark since landing was on February 9th of this year and I had 1248 days accrued at that time. I currently reside outside the US but am in the process of getting a job back in Canada and returning to the country. But I'm worried that after my PR card expires in May, do I still have the legal right to reside and work in Canada? And since my citizenship is in process (waiting on AOR), do my days outside the country continue to tick down even while that's in process? Can I become ineligible for citizenship if my days accrued go below 1095 while it's in process?
Appreciate any help.