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CCRNR Validation Survey: Entry-Level Competencies for Registered Nurses

The Canadian Council for Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) is updating the entry-level competencies (ELCs) for Registered Nurses across Canada and is inviting your feedback through a short survey to help validate the draft updates.

Your insights will help the steering committee determine whether the draft set of ELCs accurately capture the full scope of contemporary nursing practice and identify anything that may have been overlooked or needs refinement.

You can access the survey here.

The survey is confidential, takes approximately 25-30 minutes to complete, and includes a save and continue later option. The deadline to provide feedback is April 17, 2026, at 3:00 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact the survey administrator, Sense & Nous, at survey@sensenous.ca. 

External Consultation: Professional Boundaries and the Nurse-Client Relationship

The CRNS is revising the current Professional Boundary Considerations for Nurse Client Relationships resource. 

As part of the external consultation process, the CRNS is seeking feedback from registrants and external partners. The consultation period is March 19 to April 9. The deadline to provide feedback is April 9, 2026, at 4:00 pm. The online survey can be accessed here.

Questions or comments are welcome and can be directed to Nursing Practice Advice at practiceadvice@crns.ca.   

Independent Practice Register

Given the nature of the work/services provided by Registered Nurses (RN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) in independent practice, there is potential for increased risk to the public. Effective March 9, 2026, registrants who operate in an independent practice must register the practice with the CRNS. 

RNs and NPs in independent practice are self-employed and provide professional nursing services in a variety of ways:

  • as an individual;
  • in association with other self-employed health professionals; and/or, 
  • as an employer of other health professionals. 

These nursing services are provided independent of an employer or health care agency. As they do not operate under the direct control of another health professional, employer or health care institution, RNs and NPs are legally accountable for the professional services they provide as well as the business matters related to the independent practice. 

RNs and NPs may also be subject to various laws and regulations regarding the organization of the services provided (i.e., the business) in addition to those that regulate the practice of nursing (CNPS, 2021). Examples of independent practice may include but are not limited to health promotion services (smoking cessation, prenatal classes); or curative/restorative/palliative care (foot care, home care, aesthetics). 

Registering an independent practice is a separate process from Confirming Nursing Practice. The confirmation process may also be required. 

To register your independent practice:

  • Sign into your CRNS profile.
  • On the left side of the screen, click “Add independ. practice” to complete a two-step registration process.
  • There is no associated fee.

A separate register will be housed on our website at CRNS.ca  where the public can look up a registrant and their independent practice.

CRNS Registration Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions by email at regulation@crns.ca.

Updated Practice Direction

The CRNS recently updated three documents now available on the CRNS website.

CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialty Categories 

On December 19, 2025, the Ministry of Health approved changes to CRNS Bylaws that removed the Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialty Categories.

As we move into the implementation phase for the general NP model, CRNS will be implementing a series of regulatory changes to reflect the transition. The removal of the NP Specialty Categories is a step in the transition.

The removal of the Specialty Categories does not impact NPs currently practicing in Saskatchewan but will support increased interprovincial mobility and contribute to improved access to health care services across Canada.

For background information:

  • The NPR-FIPP Project summary is available here.
  • The NPR-FIPP FAQs are available here.
  • For more information and project news archives, visit the CCRNR Website. 

If you have questions, please contact register@crns.ca.

Methadone for Pain Management

On December 19, 2025, the Ministry of Health approved changes to CRNS Bylaws that removed the requirement for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to obtain Registrar approval to prescribe methadone for the management of pain. 

This change is reflected in CRNS Council Policy 2.7. As of February 17, 2026, NPs are not required to obtain approval from the Registrar to prescribe methadone or buprenorphine solely for the purpose of pain management and specializations for this practice area will no longer be captured on the Nurse License Check.

Key practice considerations for NPs prescribing methadone for pain management:

  • Methadone can be used for the treatment of severe pain associated with chronic conditions or cancer.
  • NPs must only prescribe and/or administer a drug they have the knowledge, skill and judgement to do so safely and effectively.
  • CRNS highly recommends that NPs who plan to prescribe methadone for pain management complete Methadone for Pain Management education such as methadone4pain.ca and reach out to a provider experienced in prescribing methadone for pain for further education and consultation when required.
  • Methadone:
    • is listed in the Panel of Monitored Drugs (CPSS Regulatory Bylaw 18.1);
    • must be prescribed cautiously and in accordance with prescribing requirements for controlled drugs and substances; and,
    • dosing must be tailored to each patient.
  • Prescribers are strongly encouraged to provide the indication for prescribing (e.g., chronic pain) on methadone prescriptions to enhance communication with the pharmacist and assist the pharmacist with accurate transmission to the Pharmaceutical Information Program.
  • Saskatchewan Coroners Service concludes accidental or intentional methadone related deaths are commonly associated with unauthorized use. As with all controlled drugs, NPs should be cognizant of diversion potential and be mindful of potentially fraudulent requests for this drug.

NPs who require the authority to prescribe methadone or buprenorphine for the treatment of addiction continue to require Registrar approval per CRNS Regulatory Bylaw XII, Section 3(d)i.1. 

For more information, on the prescribing requirements for the treatment of opioid use disorder, please visit the CRNS website or contact the Opioid Agonist Therapy Program at OUD@crns.ca.

CRNS Code of Conduct

On December 19, 2025, the Ministry of Health approved changes to CRNS Bylaws that replace the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses with the CRNS Code of Conduct.

The CRNS Code of Conduct (the Code) is a set of six principles that describes the accountabilities RNs have to clients, employers, colleagues and the public. The Code explains what the public can expect from RNs, and what RNs do to maintain professionalism, competence and ethical behavior to deliver safe client care. 

The Code is effective February 17, 2026. 

Although the words may be different, the practice expectations of RNs and NPs have not changed. Getting to know the Code is a great focus for your 2026 Continuing Competence Program learning plan. A couple of resources to help familiarize yourself with the Code are:

CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca.

Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: Phase 2

The second phase of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative launches on February 1, 2026. Under the Biosimilars Initiative, patients receive Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage for a biosimilar when one is available and listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary. Biosimilars offer safe, effective treatment options and support significant cost savings and long term health system sustainability. Expanding the initiative helps maintain patient access to publicly funded drug coverage.

The second phase of the Biosimilars Initiative includes four drugs listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary:

  • denosumab (Prolia®);
  • omalizumab (Xolair®);
  • tocilizumab (Actemra®); and,
  • ustekinumab (Stelara®).

For more information, visit:

Joint Statement CPSS and CRNS: Physicians & NPs authorizing RNs to provide injections of Botox and other bioactive agent

Health Canada has contacted the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the CRNS (the “Colleges”) and expressed concern that some Saskatchewan physicians, NPs and RNs are contravening the Food and Drugs Act. It has advised the Colleges that in order to comply with the Food and Drugs Act, a physician or NP must provide a patient specific order (prescription) for each patient to whom an RN will provide an injection of Botox or other bioactive agent.

Click here for the full joint statement.

The CRNS acknowledges this may result in a change in practice. To support RNs and NPs in understanding practice expectations a Q&A session will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 7 to 8 pm. The meeting link and password was sent to CRNS registrants by email on December 4, 2025 and can additionally be obtained by emailing info@crns.ca or calling (306) 359-4200.

CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca.

Upcoming Launch of Phase 2 of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative

The Ministry of Health will be launching the second phase of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative in February 2026. This phase builds on the progress of the first phase of the Biosimilars Initiative, which was successfully completed in April 2024, and will continue to promote the use of biosimilar medications.

Under the Biosimilars Initiative, patients receive Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage for a biosimilar version of their biologic medication where one is available and listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary. Biosimilars present a significant opportunity for cost savings and long-term health system sustainability while providing safe and effective medication options. Continued expansion of the Biosimilars Initiative supports patient access to public drug plan coverage.

For more information, visit:

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