Nursing practice resources provide expectations, recommendations and direction for all RN, RN(AAP) and NP practice.Documents are developed based on the definitions and descriptions approved by CRNS Council.
Nursing Practice in Saskatchewan
CRNS registrants who practice nursing in Saskatchewan include the following:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Registered Nurse with Additional Authorized Practice [RN(AAP)]
- Graduate Nurse (GN)
- Graduate Nurse Practitioner (GNP)
Foundational Resources for CRNS Registrants
All CRNS registrants practicing in Saskatchewan must operate within their legislated scope of practice and comply with the following:
- The Registered Nurses Act, 1988;
- CRNS Bylaws;
- RN Practice Standards;
- RN Entry-Level Competencies;
- Code of Ethics; and,
- Legislation as it pertains to nursing practice in Saskatchewan.
Resources by Designation
These resources provide clarity and guidance for registrants in Saskatchewan.
Document Definitions & Descriptions
The CRNS establishes a minimum or safe level of competence for all RN practice areas and communicates these competencies via its resource documents. Documents are developed based on the definitions and descriptions approved by CRNS Council.
Standards & Competencies
These documents contain the over-arching expectations for RN practice.
- RN Practice Standards CRNS, 2024
- RN Entry-Level Competencies CRNS, 2024
- Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses CNA, 2017
Guidelines
These documents contain specific direction on RN practice.
Clinical Practice
- Aesthetic Nursing, 2025
- Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Guideline CRNS, 2024
- Medication Management Guideline CRNS, 2021
- Documentation Guideline CRNS, 2021
- Guideline for Prescribing Medication CRNS, 2020
- Triaging in Emergency Departments
Scope of Practice
- Working with Unregulated Care Professionals CRNS, SALPN, RPNAS, 2023
- Guideline for RNs Recommending & Administering Nonprescription Drugs CRNS, 2020
- Graduate Nurse Practice Guideline CRNS, 2020
- RN Specialty Practices Guideline CRNS, 2020
Professional Practice
- Anti-Racism Guideline CRNS, 2024
- Self-Employed Practice Guideline CRNS, 2024
- RNs Working in Special-Care Homes CRNS, 2021
- Professional Boundary Considerations for Nurse Client Relationships CRNS, 2021
- Social Media CRNS, 2021
Tools & Templates
Document Definitions & Descriptions
The CRNS establishes a minimum or safe level of competence for all RN practice areas and communicates these competencies via its resource documents. Documents are developed based on the definitions and descriptions approved by CRNS Council.
Standards & Competencies
These documents contain the over-arching expectations for NP practice.
- NP Practice Standards CRNS, 2024
- NP Practice Standards Q&A Document
- NP Practice Standards Discussion Video
- NP ELC 2023 Revision Summary
- NP Entry-level Competencies (ELC)s CRNS, 2023
Practice Resources
These documents contain specific direction on NP practice.
- Prescribing Controlled Drugs & Substances (CDS) for NPs CRNS, 2025
- NP Admitting and Discharging to Acute Care CRNS, 2024
- Aesthetics Nursing CRNS, 2023
- Ending the NP-Client Relationship CRNS, 2023
- Medical Assistance in Dying Guideline CRNS, 2021
- Opioid Agonist Therapy: A Synthesis of Canadian Guidelines for Treating Opioid Use Disorder, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2021
- Guideline for NP Prescribing Controlled Drugs and Substances CRNS, 2019
- Guidelines for Completing the Medical Certificate of Death and the Medical Certificate of Stillbirth Vital Statistics, eHealth Saskatchewan
Graduate Nurse Practitioner (GNP)
Prescription Review Program
The Prescription Review Program is a prescription monitoring program that is educationally based and monitors for apparent inappropriate prescribing and inappropriate use of all PRP medications in the province.
Prescription Review Program (PRP) Quality Initiative
Chronic Pain Focused
Comprehensive evidence-based resources for the management of chronic pain, with a focus on optimizing drug therapy.
Practitioner Focused
A collection of opioid management resources covering procedures, clinical tools, continuing education, mobile apps, and guidelines.
PRP Management Strategies
Risk mitigation strategies and enhanced prescribing safeguards to achieve optimal prescribing of PRP medications.
CRNS Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Methadone for Pain Management
CRNS policies, bylaws for authorized Opioid NP prescribers and the application process for NPs seeking approval to prescribe opioids for chronic pain and/dependence.
- Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Policy 2.7
- CRNS Bylaws 2025
- CRNS Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Pain Management Application Requirements and Process
CRNS Prescription Review Program
Bylaws and guidelines for NP members who prescribe controlled substances.
CRNS PRP Affiliated
CPSS PRP overview, complementary resources, and various pain management tools to assist NP prescribers.
Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project (NPR-FIPP)
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). The CRNS is working collaboratively as part of the national project team to develop a common Nurse Practitioner (NP) regulatory framework across Canada.
- For more information on the Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project
An RN(AAP) can only prescribe and dispense the medications that are identified in a CDT.
Standards & Competencies
These documents contain the over-arching expectations for RN(AAP) practice.
Clinical Decision Tools
CRNS CDTs are specific evidence-informed documents that guide RNs with additional authorized practice in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of limited common medical disorders encountered in the northern primary care settings in Saskatchewan. The CDTs are reviewed and updated as needed by content experts.
Ask a Nursing Advisor
CRNS Nursing Advisors are dedicated to answering questions from RNs and NPs about their nursing practice. We've addressed common questions to help you in your registered nursing practice.
Toolkits
The toolkit format provides specific at-a-glance information on a variety of RN and RN related questions. Toolkits identify and group supporting resources and answer commonly asked questions.
Resolving Professional Practice Issues: A Toolkit for Registered Nurses
The purpose of the toolkit is to provide a five-step framework that will support you while you work towards resolution of a PPI in your context of practice.
Explore the Resolving Professional Practice Issues Toolkit
Toolkit for Managers of RNs
Managers of RNs often have questions about the clinical, professional and scope of practice of RNs. This toolkit provides information to help you support your RN team including at-a-glance information on RN practice questions, responsibilities of RNs in the workplace and resources available to support managers.
How can you reach us?
Contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.