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Ethical Practice Expectations

With the recent release of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Nurses 2025, we want to clarify which version applies to CRNS registrants.

For clarity, CRNS registrants will be held to the expectations within the CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, 2017, as it is the version approved by CRNS Council and the Ministry of Health and is referenced in CRNS Bylaw XV (p. 47).

While the newly released 2025 version may be used as a current, evidence-informed resource for ethical guidance, it is not the standard to which registrants are currently held, but rather aspirational.

As part of our commitment to align ethical expectations nationally, the CRNS is working towards implementing its own Code of Conduct. We appreciate your patience during this period of transition; more details will be shared as progress continues over the coming months.

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

ELC Survey

The Canadian Council of Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR) and the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) are working together to update their respective entry-level competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) across Canada. This collaboration will result in two documents: the updated entry-level competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses and the updated entry-level competencies for Registered Nurses. 

Entry-level competencies reflect the knowledge, skills, critical thinking and judgement expected of an entry-level licensed/registered practical nurse and registered nurse to provide safe, competent and ethical care. 

We invite you to share your insights by completing a short survey that will inform the update of the entry-level competencies for Licensed /Registered Practical Nurses and for Registered Nurses in Canada. Your responses will guide the steering committees in identifying what’s working well, where gaps exist, and what changes are needed to reflect current and emerging realities in nursing and health care.

Survey Details:

  • Takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
  • Includes a save and continue option.
  • Can be completed in English or French.
  • Responses are confidential and reported only in aggregate form.

To complete the survey, visit: 

https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50381613/CCPNR-CCRNR-Registrant-Survey

Deadline to participate is August 15, 2025 at 5:00pm EST. 

Questions can be directed to Mariam Kilyana at mariam.kilyana@sensenous.ca.

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this important initiative for the CCPNR and CCRNR.

External Consultation: Graduate Nurse Practice Guideline

The College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) is revising the Graduate Nurse (GN) Practice Guideline, which provides direction and support for GN practice across the province.

The consultation period is from May 27 to June 24. Please submit your feedback no later than June 24, 2025 at 4:30 pm.

This review is being conducted through a survey and administered on a secure website. Your responses will be anonymous and confidential.  

GN Practice Guideline for External Consultation

Survey for GN Practice Guideline

If you have any questions, please email Donna Marin at dmarin@crns.ca and/or Lana Prystai at lprystai@crns.ca.

Thank you for your participation.

Call for Volunteers: RN Entry-Level Competencies (ELC) Subject Matter Experts (SK Representatives)

The CRNS is participating in a national project to review the RN Entry-Level Competencies (ELC). The project’s main objectives include:

  • Assessing changes in health care impacting RN roles;
  • Conducting a thorough review of current competencies to identify trends and gaps; and,
  • Revising and developing competencies relevant across diverse practice settings.

A consulting firm, Sense & Nous, has been hired to assist with the project. They are looking for volunteer subject matter experts (SME) to take part in the review. 

Each session will be a one hour virtually facilitated one-on-one interview. Interviews will be scheduled based on the SME’s availability and held between June 1 and August 1. A consultation guide will be sent beforehand to allow time to prepare. 

To express interest, contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca no later than Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Pharmacist Prescribing Information

Saskatchewan pharmacists may prescribe in specific situations outlined by the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals here. Details of and updates to pharmacists prescribing for minor ailments can be accessed through the Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Program (SHIRP) and the medSask section. If you do not have a SHIRP account, you are encouraged to sign up. These and many other resources are accessible through SHIRP.

Contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.

CNPE Call for Volunteers & Pharmacist Assessment Record Content Changes

Call for Volunteers: CNPE Exam Development & Exam Committee Member (SK Representative)

Meazure Learning is seeking subject matter expert (SME) volunteers to be item writers for the CNPE Exam. Each group of item writers is composed of a representative mix of four to eight participants from different jurisdictions and different areas of nursing expertise. Work related to exam development occurs throughout the year.

The CRNS is seeking an Exam Committee member to represent Saskatchewan at the Exam Committee meetings. The committee has several duties including reviewing content of the exam and establishing the standard for the exam. This is a 3-year term and would start in January 2026. 

For more information, click here.

Pharmacist Assessment Record Content Changes

There have been changes made to the overall Pharmacist Assessment Record (PAR) for prescribing by pharmacists (minor ailments, self care and other diseases).

The Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals’ (SCPP) Bylaws (Part K – Prescribing of Drugs – Pharmacist Assessment Record 3(3) ) require the entire Pharmacist Assessment Record be provided to the patient’s primary care practitioner (and where appropriate other practitioners involved in the patient’s care) when prescribing for minor ailments, self-care and other diseases identified by the Minister of Health or Designate. 

To support this requirement, the medSask Pharmacist Assessment Records have been updated.

  • The previously included Pharmacist Minor Ailment Prescribing Record page (the summary page that appeared last) has been removed.
  • An optional communication note has been added and indicates to practitioners why there has been a potential change.

Questions can be directed to Lori Postnikoff lori.postnikoff@saskpharm.ca at the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals or Danielle Larocque danielle.larocque@usask.ca at the University of Saskatchewan. 

Contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.

NPR-FIPP Webpage & Seeking Feedback on RNSP Guideline

Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project (NPR-FIPP) Webpage

The Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project (NPR-FIPP) is a multi-year, multi-faceted initiative commissioned by the Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) with a priority that the NP entry-level education programs in Canada will prepare NPs for practice across the life span and practice settings.

The CRNS has implemented a new NPR-FIPP webpage, dedicated to providing access to NPR-FIPP information. On the page, you can review project objectives that have been completed, such as the NPR-FIPP work summaries, the NP Practice Analysis and the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Licensure Exam (CNPLE) Blueprint. Please visit the site regularly to stay informed of the latest updates on topics such as the development of the CNPLE as well as reviewing new information as it is released.

External Consultation: Registered Nurse Specialty Practice Guideline

The CRNS is revising the Registered Nurse Specialty Practice (RNSP) Guideline. The RNSP model optimizes RN practice to best serve the public by providing a framework for activities beyond entry-level competence.

As part of the external consultation process, the CRNS is seeking feedback on the RNSP Guideline from registrants and external partners, including the public. Please complete the following survey by May 8, 2025 at 4:00 pm.

Please access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TF63BP3

Questions or comments are welcome and can be directed to Shayna Moore at smoore@crns.ca and/or Lana Prystai at lprystai@crns.ca.

Contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.

New Services at Select Saskatchewan Pharmacies

On January 22, 2025, select pharmacies began providing treatment for pharyngitis and acute otitis media. The aim for this Ministry of Health initiative is to improve health outcomes by increasing timely access to care, and foster collaboration across the system to utilize health care resources most effectively. NPs and RN(AAP)s may provide follow-up care to patients who have been treated by pharmacists. Understanding the process and knowing where to find documentation is important for continuity of care.

Pharmacists must comply with all program requirements, including mandatory training, utilizing expert reviewed guidelines with a structured approach to patient assessment, prescribing and documentation. Pharmacist’s assessment and follow-up is documented in the Pharmacist Assessment Record (PAR). Pharmacists must provide the completed PAR to the patient’s primary health care provider (if they have one) when prescribing and when performing a Group A Streptococcus (GAS) point-of-care test (POCT).

Pharmacists must capture all assessment and GAS POCT results electronically into the pharmacy information program (PIP). Electronic results are not captured in the eHR Viewer’s Laboratory tab but will display in the PIP or the eHR Viewer’s Medication tab. For more information about the PIP or the eHR Viewer access please visit:

Additional information:

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

External Consultation: Code of Conduct

The College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS), in collaboration with other nursing regulatory bodies across Canada, is replacing the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics, 2017 with a Code of Conduct document. The CNA Code of Ethics, 2017 is considered aspirational and will continue to be available as a guide for nurses. 

The CRNS’s mandate is to protect the public through the regulation of RNs, RN(AAP)s and NPs. To further support this mandate, the CRNS has drafted the Code of Conduct that outlines the expectations of registrants to maintain professionalism, competence and ethical behavior to deliver safe client care. All RNs, RN(AAP)s and NPs will be expected to comply with the CRNS Code of Conduct.

As part of the external consultation process, the CRNS is seeking feedback on the Code of Conduct document from registrants and external partners, including the public. Please complete the following survey by Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 4 pm.

Code of Conduct Document for Review
Code of Conduct Feedback Survey

Questions or comments are welcome and can be directed to Catharine Wirth at cwirth@crns.ca

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