Whether you are a new manager of RNs or someone who has been managing for a while, it is helpful to have a list that outlines key organizations and resources that have an impact on RN practice in Saskatchewan.
1. College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS). This is the regulatory body for RNs and its mandate is to protect the public. It is commonly recognized that the CRNS provides licensure to RNs, but the organization also does the following:
- Establishes practice standards, entry-level competencies and Code of Ethics for Graduate Nurses (GNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Nurse Additional Authorized Practice (RN(AAP)s), Graduate Nurse Practitioners (GNPs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs).
- Approves registered nursing education programs leading to registration as an RN or NP.
- Develops and offers documents that guide RN practice.
- Offers educational sessions to registrants and others about issues that impact RN practice (e.g., Facebook Live sessions, live and recorded presentations etc.)
- Provides practice consultation to registrants and others about RN practice.
- Develops and monitors the mandatory Continuing Competence Program (CCP) for all practicing CRNS registrants.
- Administers the complaints, investigation and discipline processes for registrants who are reported as not meeting professional standards.
- Sponsors Professional Practice Groups (PPGs) that provide opportunities for learning and networking for RNs focused on specialty areas (e.g., OR, Informatics, PeriAnesthesia, Pain Management, etc.)
- Recruits and engages with CRNS Liaisons and CRNS Mentors who communicate CRNS messages to registrants and provide feedback to the CRNS.
2. Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS). All RNs in Saskatchewan are beneficiaries of and receive their legal liability protection through CNPS. This organization is staffed with nurse lawyers and lawyers who offer individual practice consultation to their members. They also offer a range of documents and educational webinars that outline legal issues and nursing practice. Contact them by phone at 1.800.267.3390.
3. National and Provincial Nursing Associations
- The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). CNA describes itself as the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing representing Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Licensed and Registered Practical Nurses, Retired Nurses and Nursing Students from across all 13 provinces and territories. CNA has individual nurse memberships. They provide educational opportunities and promote certification of various RN nursing specialties.
- The Association of Professional Nurses of Saskatchewan (APNS) describes itself as a unified voice, advocating for the nursing profession and the health of Saskatchewan people.
- The Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners (SANP) describes itself as a non-profit organization established in 2009 to create a cohesive voice for all NPs in Saskatchewan. It is governed by an executive of elected volunteers and is the only NP advocacy group in Saskatchewan.
4. Patient Safety Resources
- Healthcare Excellence Canada. Launched in spring 2021, Healthcare Excellence brings together the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. This organization works with patients and partners to share proven innovations and best practices in patient safety and health care quality.
- Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). ISMP is a trusted partner in strengthening medication safety through learning, sharing and acting to improve health care. They provide resources, education and consulting services to improve medication safety.
- The First Nations Health Ombudspersons Office describes itself as being dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of First Nations communities and members. They are committed to providing accessible, impartial, and effective services to address healthcare concerns and promote positive change. Their mission is to advocate for the health rights and interests of First Nations individuals from Saskatchewan.
- Ombudsman Saskatchewan takes complaints from people who think they have been treated unfairly by a provincial or municipal service. This includes provincial government ministries, agencies, Crown corporations and most health entities.
5. Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC). At times, managers may need to deal with concerns about maintaining the privacy of health information or have concerns raised about potential or actual breaches of confidentiality. The OIPC may assist you in resolving those concerns.
6. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). CADTH is a trusted source of evidence on drugs and health technology in Canada. This organization can provide you with evidence to support evidence informed decision-making as a manager.
7. Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Program (SHIRP). SHIRP is a university-based library program that provides Saskatchewan health care professionals with access to electronic journals, databases, clinical tools and more. This invaluable resource can help managers or RNs at the point of care with evidence-informed decision-making by being a source for recent and relevant journal articles.
8. Health Quality Council (HQC). HQC is a team of individuals with many different skills committed to helping Saskatchewan’s health system make change happen faster for better health and health care in Saskatchewan.
9. Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Guidelines. RNAO has developed best practice guidelines for registered nursing practice. All are evidence-based and available for use by RNs in Canadian health care.
10. Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements. Managers should make it a priority to become familiar with the collective agreements for all categories of staff within the unit, department and/or facility they manage.