What is Profession-Led Regulation?
The primary purpose of profession-led regulation is protection of the public from harm by ensuring members are competent and act in the public interest in providing the services that society has entrusted to them. The role of the regulating body is to ensure that all individuals seeking entry into and maintenance on the register are qualified, competent and ethical professionals. The CRNS believes that it can best protect the public by:
- Setting requirements for the entry to the profession,
- Approving nursing education programs,
- Establishing standards of practice for RNs, NPs and RN(AAP)s,
- Supporting members to meet practice standards through consultation and education,
- Promoting continuous learning and professional development as a standard for safe practice through a continuing competence program, as a requirement for ongoing licensure,
- Intervening when a member’s practice does not meet standards, and
- Using evidence-informed information to continuously innovate towards best practice in regulatory policy.
The CRNS recognizes the roles and responsibilities of interested parties including the public, the profession and its members, government, employers and other professions. In the spirit of collaboration, the CRNS consults with these parties and incorporates their perspectives in setting standards and administration of The Registered Nurses Act, 1988. This legislation determines the scope of practice for Registered Nurses in Saskatchewan. Registered Nurses are also accountable to the RN Practice Standards CRNS, 2019, the RN Entry-Level Competencies CRNS, 2019, and nursing values outlined in the CNA Code of Ethics. The over-arching expectations for Nurse Practitioner practice in Saskatchewan are further outlined in the NP Entry-level Competencies (ELC)s CRNS, 2023, and the NP Practice Standards CRNS, 2024.
In addition, The Registered Nurses Act, 1988, also mandates the CRNS have an independent, fair, and unbiased investigation and discipline process. More information pertaining to the investigation and discipline process for CRNS members can be found on the Complaints and Investigations page.