Image
The issue
Registered nurses (RN) and nurse practitioners (NP) are an essential part of Ontario’s health-care system. One that should be: accessible, equitable, person-centred and integrated. And yet, the province has the worst RN-to-population ratio in Canada. Chronic underfunding and understaffing across all health sectors and the relentless replacement of RNs and NPs with less qualified health-care workers is challenging the effectiveness of RNs and NPs and the system as a whole. RNAO regularly monitors and responds to issues relating to the nursing workforce, scope of practice, nursing culture and safety, education and regulation with evidence-based recommendations.
Take action
Action Alert
We need you in this fight now, premier!
When we needed a full lockdown, the premier gave us something called a “shutdown.” Instead of the public measures necessary to curb the growth of dangerous COVID variants, we got word play.
Action Alert
An urgent call for more nurse practitioners (NP)
Join our call for more Nurse practitioner-led clinics and Attending NPs in long- term care.
Event
Black Nurses Task Force webinars
Join us for our monthly webinar series hosted by our Black Nurses Task Force and engage in meaningful conversations to tackle anti-Black racism and discrimination within the nursing profession.
Nursing policy documents
-
Work and wellbeing survey
Image
Work and wellbeing survey
This report summarizes the response to RNAO’s Work and Wellbeing Survey. It tells the story of nurses and a nursing workforce under considerable stress and strain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey reveals that the effective functioning of Ontario’s health system is at risk post-pandemic. The magnitude of potential departures by retirement or by changes in career paths calls for an immediate response from health system employers and government
-
Pre-budget submission
Image
Pre-budget submission
RNAO's 2021 pre-budget submission focuses on the urgent pandemic-related challenges facing Ontario and, in particular, those most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19. It addresses: the vaccination rollout; the immediate and longer-term needs of the health system; and, the social and economic measures critical to saving lives during the course of the pandemic and to improving population health thereafter.
-
Expanding nursing baccalaureate degree programs
Image
Expanding nursing baccalaureate degree programs
RNAO endorses a regulation to allow Ontario colleges of applied arts and technology to offer baccalaureate degree programs in nursing (for RNs).
Other documents related to nursing policy:
- RN prescribing, June, 2020
- RNAO stands together with our Black sisters and brothers, June 2020
- Have your say on CNO’s RN Prescribing, January 2019
- Expanded scope of practice for RNs, NPs and RPNs, June 2019
- RNAO Submission on RN Prescribing - Proposed Regulation Changes, January 2019
- RN/NP Workforce Backgrounder, 2019
- Increase access to care by fully utilizing NPs, 2017
- RNAO & ONA- Ontarians need more RNs: Backgrounder, May 2018
- 70 Years of RN Effectiveness, August 2017
- Mind the Safety Gap, Reclaiming the Role of the RN, May 2016
- Visionary Leadership: Full and expanded scope of practice, April 2014
- Primary Solutions for Primary Care, 2012
- Nursing Workforce and scopes of practice, April 2012
