Standards of Practice

All nurses in Nova Scotia have standards that they must follow in order to be able to work in the profession. These standards set the legal and professional responsibility of nurses and outlines what we should expect from any nurse in any workplace in this province. 

Each nursing designation (LPN, RN, NP) has standards of practice that align with each designation’s distinct and separate scope of practice: 

In addition, RN Prescribers or RNs Authorized to Prescribe (RN-AP) are required to meet the Standards of Practice for RN Prescribers:

In addition, all nursing designations (LPN, RN, NP) are required to meet the sexual misconduct standard for nurses: 

We set the standards, in collaboration with nurses, the public and others. If a nurse is unable to meet the standards of practice, we also intervene to make sure the public is protected. 

More Tools Available

We offer a variety of useful practice support tools to help you better understand the standards of practice. Click here to visit this page. 


 

Standards of Practice for Licensed Practical Nurses in Canada

All LPNs are responsible to follow the standards. This means: 

  1. Being professional, accountable and responsible
  2. Having evidence informed practice
  3. Protecting the public through self-regulation
  4. Engaging in Professional and Ethical Practice

Open the Standards of Practice for LPNs

Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses

All RNs and NPs are responsible to follow the standards. This means: 

  • Being responsible and accountable
  • Using knowledge to provide care
  • Establishing a professional and therapeutic relationship 
  • Being a leader and establishing professional relationships 
  • Being accountable to self-regulate 

Open the Standards of Practice for RNs

Standards of Practice for RN Prescribers

All RN Prescribers responsible to follow the standards. This means: 

  • Being responsible and accountable
  • Using knowledge to provide care
  • Establishing a professional and therapeutic relationship 
  • Being a leader and establishing professional relationships 
  • Being accountable to self-regulate 

Open the Standards of Practice for RN Prescribers
 

Nurse Practitioner Standards of Practice

All NPs are responsible to follow the standards, in addition to the RN standards. This means: 

  • Being responsible and accountable
  • Being a leader and advocating to enhance quality of care
  • Assessing and diagnosing clients
  • Managing client care using evidence
  • Collaborating, referring and consulting with clients and other health professionals

Open the Standards of Practice for NPs

Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice for Nurses

All nurses are responsible to follow the sexual misconduct standard, in addition to the standards for their respective designation. This means:

  • Nurses must not engage in sexual misconduct
  • Nurses are required to report sexual misconduct

Open the Sexual Misconduct Standard of Practice for Nurses