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Page modified December 19, 2007
The Standard of Care.

For the Public

Français

Nursing in Ontario

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the regulatory body for the province’s 144,000 Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). The College’s members play vital roles in Ontario’s health care system and provide care in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, public health units, community clinics, retirement and nursing homes, long-term care facilities, workplaces, doctors’ offices, correctional facilities and private homes.

CNO regulates the nursing profession by setting entry-to-practice requirements; establishing, promoting and enforcing standards of practice and conduct; and enhancing the care provided by members of the profession through a Quality Assurance Program. CNO supports members in meeting their accountability for quality care through The Standard, a quarterly membership magazine, the website (www.cno.org), practice advice and a variety of other outreach activities.

 

Is My Nurse Registered?

Do you want to find out if your nurse is registered? Call CNO’s Customer Service line at 1 800 387-5526 (toll-free in Ontario) or 416 928-0900, or e-mail cno@cnomail.org. You can also call the College for the answers to any questions about nursing in Ontario.

CNO is working toward its vision of excellence in nursing in Ontario in partnership with employers, educators, government and you, the public.

 

Self-Regulation

Nursing in Ontario has been a self-regulating profession since 1963.

 

Here for you

Read the newsletter published by CNO to inform the public about nursing in Ontario.

Here for you is not available by subscription. Copies are available for $2 by e-mailing Publications at publications@cnomail.org, or can be downloaded free-of-charge from this website. Articles are also available in French.

 

The Nurse-Client Relationship

A nurse’s relationship with her or her client must be based on trust, respect, empathy and professional intimacy. Nurses must also adhere to ethical standards and practices to guide them in their day-to-day practice. CNO has published several documents outlining the standards for establishing and maintaining nurse-client relationships, and for acting ethically.

 

Patient Relations Program Report 2005-2007

Click here to find out what the College is doing to communicate with the public, assist employers in supporting quality care and help nurses stay up-to-date with guidelines and standards.

 

The Complaint Process

CNO welcomes your inquiries. If you have any questions or concerns about the nursing care you have received, call 1 800 387-5526 (toll-free in Ontario) or 416 928-0900, or e-mail cno@cnomail.org. Click here for our full mailing address.

 

Investigations and Hearings

CNO investigates all written and recorded complaints about a nurse from members of the public, employers or fellow nurses.

 

For employers

Quality Practice (QP) is an e-mail newsletter to help nursing employers understand how self-regulation applies to various practice settings.

 

Annual Report

Every year the College produces an Annual Report, with information detailing the College’s operational and financial activities for the past year.

 

Additional Information

CNO produces a number of other documents that provide extensive information about the practice standards that all Ontario nurses are required to follow. They cover areas such as confidentiality and privacy, and ethics. CNO produces, as well, fact sheets and other resources. These documents, while written for nurses, are available to the public. They can be viewed and downloaded at no charge.

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