CRNS Membership Options
The CRNS has nine different categories of membership. The majority of membership options follow an application process. There are two categories of membership that are granted by the CRNS Council in recognition of outstanding service.
Practicing
Practicing membership is limited to those who hold a license to practice registered nursing by the CRNS. Practicing members can use the title “Registered Nurse” or “nurse”, receive professional liability protection, vote and hold office, be appointed to committees at membership and provincial levels, participate in the Annual Meeting, use the College’s consulting services, receive financial assistance as specified in the College’s policies, receive the News Bulletin and a copy of college documents, and receive all privileges of membership in affiliate national and international associations.
SECTION 2. PRACTICING MEMBERSHIP.
(1) Registration as a practicing member of the association shall be:
(a) limited to the nurse who is eligible for a license to practise registered nursing issued by the association in accordance with the Act; and
(b) granted upon completion of the prescribed application form and payment of the fees set by the association in the method prescribed by council.
(2) Practicing membership entitles a person to the following privileges:
(a) to practise registered nursing;
(b) to use the title “registered nurse” or “nurse”; 17
(c) to receive professional liability protection;
(d) to vote and hold office at membership unit levels and provincial levels;
(e) to participate in the annual meeting of the association;
(f) to be appointed to committees at membership unit levels and provincial levels;
(g) to use the consulting and counselling services of the association;
(h) to receive financial assistance for purposes specified in the policies of the association;
(i) to receive a copy of association documents designated for distribution to practicing members;
(j) to receive the newsbulletin of the association; and
(k) to receive all privileges of membership in affiliated national and international associations.
(3) Practicing membership carries obligations including but not limited to the following:
(a) to adhere to the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses contained in bylaw XIV;
(b) to adhere to the nursing standards and competencies for the practice of registered nursing contained in bylaw XV; and
(c) To immediately report (i) a conviction or finding of guilt for any criminal offence under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or any similar legislation in any province, territory, state, or country, or any offence in relation to the practice of nursing or another profession in any jurisdiction; and
(d) each practising member including those who hold an emergency or courtesy educator membership must hold and maintain liability protection.
Graduate Nurse
Graduate nurse membership is limited to those who hold a temporary license to practice registered nursing by the CRNS. Graduate nurse members can practice registered nursing under the supervision of an RN for the period specified by their license. These members can use the title “Graduate Nurse”, receive professional liability protection, use the College’s consulting services, receive the News Bulletin and a copy of College documents, and receive all privileges of membership in affiliate national and international associations.
SECTION 3. GRADUATE NURSE MEMBERSHIP.
(1) Registration as a graduate nurse member of the association shall be:
(a) limited to the nurse who is eligible for a temporary license to practise registered nursing issued by the association in accordance with the Act; and
(b) granted upon completion of the prescribed application form and payment of the fees set by the association.
(2) Graduate nurse membership entitles a person to the following privileges:
(a) to practise registered nursing under the supervision of a registered nurse in accordance with association policies and for the period specified in a temporary license;
(b) to use the title “graduate nurse” or “nurse”;
(c) to receive professional liability protection;
(d) to use the consulting and counselling services of the association;
(e) to receive a copy of association documents designated for distribution to practicing members;
(f) to receive the newsbulletin of the association; and
(g) to receive all privileges of membership in affiliated national and international associations.
(3) Graduate nurse membership carries obligations including but not limited to the following:
(a) to adhere to the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses contained in bylaw XIV;
(b) to adhere to the nursing standards and competencies for the practice of registered nursing contained in bylaw XV;
(c) To immediately report (i) a conviction or finding of guilt for any criminal offence under the Criminal 19 Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or any similar legislation in any province, territory, state, or country, or any offence in relation to the practice of nursing or another profession in any jurisdiction; and
(d) to maintain liability protection.
Non-Practicing
Non-practicing membership is limited to those persons who have at one time been a practicing member of the CRNS and who were in good standing with the CRNS. Non-practicing members can vote, hold office at the membership level, attend the annual meeting of the College and receive the News Bulletin. Non-practicing members cannot use the title 'Registered Nurse' or practice nursing in Saskatchewan.
SECTION 4. NON-PRACTICING MEMBERSHIP.
(1) Non-practicing membership in the association shall be:
(a) limited to the person who: (i) has been registered as a practicing member; (ii) was in good standing when last registered with the association; (iii) is not currently practising registered nursing in Saskatchewan; and
(b) granted upon completion of the prescribed application form and payment of the fees set by the association.
(2) Non-practicing membership entitles a person to the following privileges:
(a) to vote and to hold office and to be appointed to committees at the membership unit level;
(b) to attend the annual meeting of the association; and
(c) to receive the newsbulletin of the association.
Life
Life membership is limited to practicing or former practicing members who are retired from registered nursing. This membership is granted by the CRNS Council to recognize outstanding service to registered nursing in Saskatchewan. Life members can one of the following designations: “registered nurse(retired)”, “RN(retired)”, “registered nurse (NP)(retired)”, “NP(retired)”, or “nurse (retired)”. A Life member does not pay fees, is able to vote and hold office, be appointed to committees at the provincial level, attend the annual meeting, and receive the News Bulletin and the Canadian Nurse Journal.
SECTION 5. LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
(1) Life membership in the association shall be:
(a) limited to a practicing member or a former practicing member of the association who is retired from registered nurse practicing membership; and
(b) granted by the council in recognition of outstanding service to registered nursing in Saskatchewan.
(2) Life membership entitles a person to the following privileges without payment of fees: 20
(a) to vote and to hold office at the membership unit level;
(b) to be appointed to committees at the provincial level;
(c) to attend the annual meeting of the association;
(d) to receive the newsbulletin of the association and the Canadian Nurse Journal; and
(e) to use the title “registered nurse(retired)”, “RN(retired)”, “registered nurse (NP)(retired)”, “NP(retired)”, or “nurse (retired)” consistent with their former registration eligibility.
Honorary
Honorary membership is limited to non-nurse individuals or nurses who are registered outside of Saskatchewan. This membership is granted by the CRNS council in recognition of distinguished service to the registered nursing profession or for valuable assistance to registered nursing in Saskatchewan. Honorary members receive the News Bulletin and can attend the Annual Meeting.
SECTION 6. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP.
(1) Honorary membership shall be:
(a) limited to a non-nurse or a nurse registered outside of Saskatchewan; and
(b) granted by the council in recognition of distinguished service to the registered nursing profession or for valuable assistance to registered nursing in Saskatchewan.
(2) Honorary membership entitles a person to the following privileges:
(a) to receive the newsbulletin of the association; and
(b) to attend the annual meeting of the association.
Student
Student membership is limited to those who are currently enrolled in an approved nursing education program. Student members can vote, hold office, be appointed to committees at the membership level, attend the annual meeting of the association and receive the CRNS News Bulletin.
SECTION 7. STUDENT MEMBERSHIP.
(1) Student membership in the association shall be:
(a) limited to the person who is currently enrolled in a basic registered nursing education program given in Saskatchewan and approved by the council, or given outside Saskatchewan and recognized by the council as being equivalent to a Saskatchewan registered nursing education program approved by the council; and
(b) granted upon completion of the prescribed application form and payment of the fees set by the association.
(2) Student membership entitles a person to the following privileges:
(a) to vote, hold office and be appointed to committees at the membership unit level;
(b) to attend the annual meeting of the association; and
(c) to receive the newsbulletin of the association.
Retired
Retired membership is limited to those members who have retired from the practice of registered nursing and who are in good standing with the CRNS. Retired members can vote, hold office at the membership level, be appointed to committees at the provincial level, attend the annual meeting of the College and receive the CRNS News Bulletin. Retired members can use one of the following designations, RN (retired), NP (retired) or nurse (retired). As Retired Membership is offered one time, please ensure you do not plan to return to work before applying for this status.
SECTION 8. RETIRED MEMBERSHIP.
(1) Retired membership in the association shall be:
(a) limited to the person who: (i) has been registered as a practicing member; (ii) was in good standing when last registered with the association; (iii) is retired from registered nursing employment; and
(b) granted upon completion of the prescribed application form and payment of the fees set by the association.
(2) Retired membership entitles a person to the following privileges:
(a) to use the title “registered nurse (retired)”, “RN(retired)”, “registered nurse (NP)(retired)”, “NP(retired)”, or “nurse (retired)” consistent with their eligibility at time of retirement;
(b) to vote and to hold office at the membership unit level;
(c) to be appointed to committees at the provincial level;
(d) to attend the annual meeting of the association; and
(e) to receive the newsbulletin of the association
Emergency Practicing
Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners from other Canadian provinces or territories can apply for Emergency Practicing membership. These nurses must hold a practicing registration that is not subject to any practice limitations, restrictions or conditions. They must also provide proof of identity. Nurses generally apply for this membership when a public health emergency exists in Saskatchewan and their services are required to assist with that emergency.
SECTION 5. EMERGENCY PRACTISING MEMBERSHIP.
(1) A person who is a registered nurse or registered nurse (nurse practitioner) in another jurisdiction in Canada may apply for emergency practising membership in the association and must:
(a) hold a practicing registration as a registered nurse or registered nurse (nurse practitioner), that is not subject to any practice limitations, restrictions or conditions and
(b) provide proof of identity satisfactory to the association that he or she is the person named therein.
2) In addition to subsection (1) a person who holds a practicing registration with a RN regulatory body in another jurisdiction in Canada may apply for emergency practising membership for a maximum period of 90 days, upon signing a declaration that he or she is applying for emergency membership solely for the purpose of providing assistance during emergency situation, if the minister gives the association notice that:
(a) a public health emergency exists in all or part of the province; and
(b) the services of a registered nurse or Nurse Practitioner from outside the province are required to assist with the emergency.
(3) where the public emergency continues, the Registrar may grant 90 day extensions of the emergency practising membership as required.
Courtesy Educator Practicing
Courtesy Educator Practicing membership is available to Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners from other Canadian jurisdictions to work in Saskatchewan as an educator in a nursing program approved by the CRNS council. These members may develop curriculum, or provide theory courses in online programming or via distance delivery.
SECTION 6. COURTESY EDUCATOR PRACTISING MEMBERSHIP.
(1) A person who is a registered nurse or registered nurse (nurse practitioner) in another jurisdiction in Canada may apply for courtesy educator practising membership to work as an educator in a registered nursing or registered nurse (nurse practitioner) program approved by council to develop curriculum or provide theory courses in on-line programming or distance delivery.
(2) A person who meets the requirements for the courtesy educator practicing membership is eligible for registration.
(3) The person must sign a declaration confirming that he or she is applying for courtesy educator practicing membership solely for the purpose of performing or providing the specific services approved by the association. 30
(4) The courtesy membership is valid for the registration year and must be renewed annually.
(5) It is a condition of registration that the person maintain a license and provide evidence of current registration in the jurisdiction where the person currently practices and indicate he or she is not subject to an investigation in the jurisdiction where he or she is licensed at the time of granting the courtesy membership. If the registration in the other jurisdiction is suspended or cancelled, the courtesy educator practicing registration is also cancelled.