Unit 2 - Federal and Provincial Health Systems in Canada

As a registered nurse in Ontario, my professional role fits within both the federal and Ontario health systems, and I must adhere to both federal and provincial laws and standards.

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has published a framework outlining the definition and role of the registered nurse in Canada:

Canadian Nurses Association. (2015). Framework for the practice of registered nurses in Canada. Retrieved from
https://www.cna-aiic.ca/-/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/framework-for-the-pracice-of-registered-nurses-in-canada.pdf?la=en&hash=55716DC66A8C15D13972F9E45BE4AC7AE0461620

The CNA defines a registered nurse in Canada as:

"RNs are self-regulated health-care professionals who work autonomously and in collaboration with others to enable individuals, families, groups, communities and populations to achieve their optimal levels of health. At all stages of life, in situations of health, illness, injury and disability, RNs deliver direct health-care services, coordinate care and support clients in managing their own health. RNs contribute to the health-care system through their leadership across a wide range of settings in practice, education, administration, research and policy."

The CNA also outlines responsibilities of both the regulatory body (provincial licensure) and the individual RN:

I also belong to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), my professional regulatory body, through which I must maintain an annual membership in order to be certified as an RN in Ontario.

The CNO's professional standards and guidelines for RNs can be seen here:

https://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/standards-and-guidelines/

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is a membership-based organization for Ontario nurses that provides benefits for its members such as legal assistance, discounts on car and travel insurance, education loans and scholarships, and career counselling services. The RNAO also offers best practice guidelines in several topics to guide and inform nurses' practice. They are also involved in political action in order to improve working conditions for nurses in Ontario and improve health care for Ontario citizens. The RNAO website can be seen here: https://rnao.ca/