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.

May 2016

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations that promote and sustain the undergraduate nursing student’s application of knowledge to practice in a variety of clinical learning environments. The guideline explores the relationships among and between students and nursing educators, nursing staff, preceptors and diverse health-care team members, and it considers their influence on the quality of practice education, professional socialization and nursing excellence. 

August 2011

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to identify and describe: practices that result in preventing and mitigating fatigue for nurses and other health-care professionals; system resources that support practices to prevent fatigue; organizational culture, values and resources that support effective practices to prevent fatigue; personal resources that can be used to prevent or mitigate fatigue; and anticipated outcomes when fatigue is effectively managed.

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.

July 2014

The purposes of this best practice guideline (BPG) are to expand the awareness of abuse and neglect of older adults and to provide evidence-based recommendations for preventing and addressing abuse and neglect in all health-care settings across the continuum of care in Canada.

September 2017

This best practice guideline (BPG) focuses on the prevention of falls and fall injuries in all adults at risk for falls – including those living in the community – who are receiving care from nurses or other health-care providers. 

December 2020

This best practice guideline (BPG) focuses on bladder and bowel management in adults (aged 18 years and older).

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.

February 2012

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations for registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) related to the care of individuals who are at risk for behaviours that may result in harm to self/others and lead to the possible use of restraints (physical, chemical, environmental). Unless otherwise indicated in the guideline, the discussion focus is on physical restraint. 

March 2007

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to support nurses as they help people with diabetes reduce their risk of foot complications.