Best Practice Guidelines

RNAO has more than 50 BPGs covering nine categories: children and youth; clinical; equity, diversity and inclusion; foundational; health system; healthy work environment; mental health and substance use; older adults; and population health.

The BPGs are freely available and organized alphabetically below.

July 2019

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to enhance the safety of health service organizations and academic institutions through the adoption of evidence-based practices. Safe and healthy work environments are an enabler for nurses and other health workers to optimize clinical outcomes for those receiving care. Such environments also optimize teaching and learning in academic settings. Specifically, the guideline will address how to recognize, prevent, and manage violence, harassment and bullying in the workplace.

May 2014

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide nurses across all practice settings with evidence-based practice, education, system, organization and policy recommendations for the primary prevention of obesity in infants, preschool, and elementary-school-aged children.

March 2007

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is: to identify the concept of professionalism as a guiding tenet that enhances outcomes for nurses, patients, organizations and systems; to define the attributes of professionalism; to identify and discuss the evidence related to each attribute of professionalism; and to provide strategies for success.

March 2008

The guideline contains recommendations for registered nurses and registered practical nurses on best nursing practices in the area of paediatric asthma. It is intended for nurses who may not be experts in asthma care and who work in a variety of practice settings across the continuum of care.

June 2022

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide nurses and the circle of care with evidence-based recommendations on culturally safe and meaningful ways to support smoking reduction and cessation with Indigenous Peoples of reproductive age, their support networks and communities to improve health and wellness.

September 2010

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations for registered nurses and registered practical nurses in self-management support. These recommendations identify strategies and interventions that enhance an individual’s ability to manage their chronic health condition.

March 2006

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to assist nurses in promoting family health through interventions and supports provided during expected as well as unexpected life events. Expected life events may include birth, school, adolescence, aging, and death, while unexpected life events may include trauma/accidents, chronic illness, developmental delay and disability. 

June 2023

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations for nurses and members of the interprofessional team, organizations and the health system. These recommendations support safe and effective transitions in care for pediatric and adult persons and their support network.

May 2012

The overall purpose of this guideline is to facilitate routine universal screening for woman abuse by nurses in all practice settings.

February 2014

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to address the question of how health-care providers can partner with families to promote safe sleep for infants 0-12 months of age to reduce known risk factors for injury and death.