The Ontario government has approved amendments to the Controlled Acts regulation under the Nursing Act, 1991, which were proposed by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

The regulatory amendment and related changes to the Nursing Act will take effect on Oct. 1, 2011 and will result in the following key changes to practice:

1. The NP drug list will be discontinued. With the exception of controlled substances, NPs will have the authority to prescribe medication as appropriate for client care. (This amendment does not affect the lists of X-rays and ultrasounds that continue to govern clinical aspects of NP practice.)
2. NPs will be able to dispense, sell and compound medication in specified circumstances (for example, when the client does not have reasonable access to a pharmacy).
3. NPs will be able to set and cast fractures in specified circumstances (for example, closed and un-displaced stable fractures).  
4. NPs will be able to give client care orders to RNs and RPNs for procedures that they previously could not. For example, venipuncture to obtain blood samples.

A revised Nurse Practitioner practice standard, which includes new expectations for practice associated with the regulatory changes, will be available on the website when the regulation takes effect on Oct 1, 2011.

More information will be provided in the Nurse Practitioners section of the website on Oct 1, 2011.

Details about the regulatory amendment are available at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/.