From the Desk of the Executive Director

The Executive Director’s message is issued on an as needed basis and communicates operational updates and day-to-day news from the CRNS. This message is distributed to all members of the CRNS as developments occur.

On behalf of the CRNS Council and Staff, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year in 2023. I’d like first to reiterate how grateful and thankful we are for all your hard work over the last year. As we move into 2023, I want to thank you in advance for your ability to be nimble, pivot and embrace challenges with a positive problem-solving attitude and sense of teamwork.

Following a successful renewal period, I’m happy to greet 12,414 practicing registrants and look forward to working alongside you this year. I’d also like to remind you to use our online verification tool, the Nurse License Check, to ensure your renewal was successfully processed and you’re eligible to practice registered nursing in Saskatchewan.

While we continue to navigate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strain it continues to leave on the health care system, we are steadfast in our mission to protect the public; therefore, the CRNS has identified a few key priorities for the year to continue to ensure we’re providing regulatory excellence, and I’m happy to share those with you now.

CRNS Council Election

It’s that time of year—we’re seeking practicing RNs, NPs and RN(AAP)s to put their names forward for Council or the Nominations Committee. As we continue to grow and move forward, we have the opportunity to nominate and vote for future Council positions.

If you’re ready to contribute to the growth and development of the CRNS and the regulation of the registered nursing profession in Saskatchewan, then we encourage you to put your name forward.

Good-to-Knows about being a member of the Council:

  • Council work can be used towards your practice hours for renewal.
  • Council has streamlined its approach to Council meetings, reducing the number and length of meetings.
  • A member running for Council can anticipate being away from their place of employment for a minimum of 8 days per year for Council business.
  • Council members are reimbursed for travel, accommodation, and meal expenses and are provided with an honorarium.
  • Registrants are supported in purchasing a laptop computer for CRNS business during their term on Council.
  • For the 2023 election, the Members-at-Large in Region 1, 2, and Nursing Practice Area will fill three-year terms.
  • For the 2023 election, the term of office for the President-Elect is two years, followed by two years as President and then two years as the chair of the Nominations Committee.

Good-to-Knows about being a member of the Nominations Committee:

  • The term on the Committee is two years.
  • The Committee has at least three virtual meetings. Most work is done from September to January.
  • Committee members communicate with registrants by telephone or email.
  • Expenses are reimbursed, and an honorarium is provided.

For more information on how to submit your nomination, please visit https://www.crns.ca/about-us/how-we-govern/srna-council/council-election/

Revised CCP Launch

Through a thorough review of the program using surveys, focus groups and working groups, the team has updated the CCP process, built the revised program and launched the online platform. As of December 1, 2022, the revised program is available to all practicing registrants through the online self-service area. Some critical revisions include peer feedback no longer being a requirement and the ability to complete all components online in your registrant portal. Yearly participation continues to be mandatory; however, with the changes, the program is more flexible and allows each registrant to reflect and focus on what is essential to their practice.

In consideration of the different learning styles, we've prepared several resources, including a step-by-step video of how to complete the process, a video that gives a deeper dive into the CCP review process and how decisions were made on revisions, sample learning plans for all practicing categories and frequently asked questions.

Review the CCP Resources and FAQs here.

IEN Recruitment Project

In late 2022, we joined the Government of Saskatchewan’s Recruitment mission to the Philippines as a collaborative partner. This recruitment mission is a part of the government’s four-point plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care workers to stabilize and strengthen Saskatchewan’s health care workforce.

We will continue to share our involvement in this process throughout the year.

Anti-Racism Working Group

To further support our commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices within the health care system, we’ve developed an internal Anti-Racism Working Group with the input of external community members. The group’s purpose is to support the ongoing inclusion of anti-racism and anti-oppression knowledge and action into the work of the CRNS.

We look forward to sharing the learnings and outcomes of the group’s work with you this year.

Public Engagement

Public participation in our regulatory and decision-making processes is critical. Input helps strengthen the College’s ability to protect and serve the public interest through quality registered nursing regulation. We’re working within the organization and with other health care regulatory bodies and organizations to further and better develop a process for public consultation.

Ways to be involved with your Registered Nursing regulator in 2023:

We will continue offering support through practice consultations and providing nursing practice updates as they come. To stay up-to-date on all CRNS business and updates, ensure info@crns.ca is whitelisted in your inbox.

In closing, remember to celebrate during the moments of joy that we are confident will come in 2023. Together, we will answer the call to care.

Sincerely,

Cindy Smith, RN
(She/Her)
Executive Director

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