Government reviews regulations to expand RPN scope of practice

The Ontario government is reviewing proposed changes under the Nursing Act, 1991 to expand the scope of practice for RPNs. You can see the changes on the Regulatory Registry, a government website that shares information on new, amended or approved regulations.

If government approves the regulation, RPNs who have the relevant competence will be able to independently initiate specific controlled acts without an order in certain practice settings. These changes are intended to increase patient access to timely health care services and reduce barriers to patient care.

Registration still rising: New reports

More nurses are working in Ontario’s health care system, and where they are working continues to shift, say two new reports from CNO. The reports focus on the number of nurses entering and leaving the health care system, and the employment patterns of new nurses. Collecting and analyzing data about nursing registration is one way CNO achieves its purpose to protect the public by promoting safe nursing practice.

"As the authoritative source of province-wide data about nursing employment in Ontario, CNO tracks trends in how and where nurses practice over time," says Brent Knowles, Director, Analytics and Planning. "This provides valuable information for health human resource planning to our partners in health care including government, to inform their decision-making."

CNO continues to increase the number of nurses in the health care system modernizing the way we assess and register applicants.

Spotlight

Wondering about scope? Here are some FAQs

Of all the questions you ask us about nursing practice, scope tops the list. Lately, scope of practice has been more popular than ever, since the Ontario government is reviewing proposed changes to expand the scope of practice for RPNs.

Let’s break down some of your most frequently asked questions about scope of practice.

Summarized Decisions

Government reviews regulations to expand RPN scope of practice

Registration still rising: New reports

Wondering about scope? Here are some FAQs

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College of Nurses of Ontario