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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
For more information, visit:
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.
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:
The College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) is revising the Prescribing Medication Guideline and the RNs Recommending & Administering Non-prescription Drugs Guideline.
As part of the external consultation process, the CRNS is seeking feedback on both guidelines from registrants and external partners, including the public. Please complete the following surveys by Wednesday, December 4, 2025 at 4 pm.
Prescribing Medication Guideline Survey
RNs Recommending & Administering Non-Prescription Drugs Guideline Survey
Questions or comments are welcome and can be directed to Catharine Wirth at cwirth@crns.ca
The Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Clinical Decision Tool (CDT) for RNs with Additional Authorized Practice [RN(AAP)s] has been revised to reflect current evidence-informed practice. The previous H. pylori CDT is no longer in effect. All RN(AAP)s are highly encouraged to review the updated CDT.
The CRNS CDTs are specific evidence-informed documents that guide RN(AAP)s in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of limited common medical disorders encountered in primary care settings in Saskatchewan.
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.
The Graduate Nurse (GN) Practice Guideline has been reviewed on the five year cycle incorporating both internal and external recommendations, to provide updated direction to employers and registrants in the following areas:
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.
