Week 2 - History, Nursing Profession, Legislation, CNO, WeRPN, Unions

What are characteristics of a profession?

• Expertise or knowledge

• Autonomy

• Authority

• Accountability

• Unity

How is nursing an art and a science?

• Show compassion, establish caring relationship, focus on the whole person

• Technical, clinical, and medical aspects

What are the components that make nursing holistic?

• Physical

• Cultural

• Spiritual

• Social

• Psychological

What are the nursing regulations and legislations?

• Regulated Heath Professionals Act, 1991 (Legislation)

• Nursing Act, 1991 (Legislation)

• College of Nurses of Ontario

• Practice Standards

• Practice Guidelines

What is the Regulated Health Professionals Act, 1991 (RHPA)?

• Applied to all Ontario’s self regulated health professionals

• Sets out the governing framework for the regulated health professions in Ontario

• Outlines 14 controlled acts that could be potentially harmful if performed by unqualified persons

• RPNs are qualified to do 5 acts

What is the Nursing Act, 1991?

• Sets the legal framework for the practice of nursing

• Includes a scope of practice statement and defines the 5 controlled acts authorized to nursing

• Sets the requirements for the CNO to ensure that nurses practice in a safe, ethical, professional, and competent manner

• Requires the CNO to be transparent, accessible, fair, and open for the nurses who are registered with the CNO, patients, and members of the public, whom the legislative framework is meant to protect

What are the 7 points that the Nursing Act, 1991 includes?

1. Contains scope of practice statement

2. Outlines all of the controlled acts authorized to nursing

3. Describes the regulations specific to the nursing profession

4. Definitions of classes of nurses

5. Regulations related to title protections

6. Regulations on initiating controlled acts and entry to practice regulations

7. Describes the specific behaviours that would lead to a charge of professional misconduct

What is the CNO?

• The regulatory body that ensure the Nursing Act, 1991 is carried out

• Sets standards of practice

• Protect the public

What is the CNOs vision?

Leading in regulatory excellence

What is the mandate/mission of the CNO?

Regulating nursing in the public intrest

What are the 4 ways the CNO fulfills its regulatory role?

1. Establishing requirements for entry to practice

2. Establishing and promoting practice standards and guidelines

3. Administering the QA Program

4. Enforcing standards of practice and conduct

   • Protecting public

   • Disciplinary process

What is the CNO expectation of nurses as self-regulated professionals?

• Knowledge

• Skill

• Judgement

… to provide safe, competent, and ethical care

What are the practice standards?

• Outline the expectations for nurses that contribute to public protection

• Inform nurses of their accountabilities and the public of what to expect of nurses

• Standards apply to all nurses regardless of their role, job description or area of practice

• Ex. Code of Conduct, Scope of Practice, Confidentiality, etc.

What are practice guidelines?

• Often address specific practice-related issues, help nurses understand their responsibilities and how to make safe and ethical decisions in their practice

• Ex. Consent, working with UCPs, Nurses role in MAiD

What are the professional associations for nursing?

• RPNs → WeRPN

• RNs → RNAO

• Unions → OCHU/CUPE/SEIU

What is the WeRPN?

• The voice of RPNs in Ontario (advocacy)

• Vision: Break the walls down, build the person up, bring people together

• Mission: To support and improve health outcomes and deliver the best possible care to patients, residents, and clients

What are unions?

• Help resolve workplace disputes

• Advocate for nurses during contract negotiation