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Registration > Extended Class   

  Last modified: August 17, 2004 

Registration in the Extended Class

  1. Introduction
  2. Requirements for Registration
  3. Frequently Asked Questions

Section 1: Introduction

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the regulatory body for nursing in Ontario. It regulates Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). The Extended Class of registration is available to RNs who have successfully completed Nurse Practitioner education, and who meet all other registration requirements for that class.

A Nurse Practitioner, or RN(EC), is a Registered Nurse with additional educational preparation and experience who possesses and demonstrates the competencies to autonomously diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform specific procedures within his or her legislated scope of practice. She or he provides comprehensive health services encompassing health promotion, prevention of diseases and injuries, treatment, cure, rehabilitation and support services.

As well as the three controlled acts1 authorized to nursing in the Nursing Act (1991), RN(EC)s have the authority to perform three additional controlled acts: communicating a diagnosis of a disease or disorder, ordering the application of energy such as ultrasound and prescribing drugs as defined in regulation. In addition, other Acts provide additional authorities for RN(EC)s (e.g., ordering specific X-rays and laboratory tests).

 

Next section: Requirements

Notes

  1. The three controlled acts authorized to nursing are:
    1. Performing a prescribed procedure below the dermis or a mucous membrane.
    2. Administering a substance by injection or inhalation.
    3. Putting an instrument, hand or finger: beyond the external ear canal, beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow, beyond the larynx, beyond the opening of the urethra, beyond the labia majora, beyond the anal verge, or into an artificial opening into the body.

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