Standards & Guidelines

The College provides practice standards and guidelines to support nurses in providing safe and ethical nursing care to the people of Ontario.

Practice standards outline the expectations for nurses that contribute to public protection. They inform nurses of their accountabilities and the public of what to expect of nurses. The standards apply to all nurses regardless of their role, job description or area of practice.

Practice guidelines, which often address specific practice-related issues, help nurses understand their responsibilities and how to make safe and ethical decisions in their practice.

The College provides a variety of educational and consultative services -- including webcasts, teleconferences and Practice Support -- to help nurses understand the standards and how to apply them to their practice.

Practice Standard	Resources
Confidentiality and Privacy: Personal Health Information	Ask Practice Confidentiality and Privacy webcast
Decisions about Procedures and Authority	Ask Practice
Documentation	Ask Practice Learning Module Webcast
Ethics	Ask Practice Learning Module Social Media (Webcast)
Infection Prevention and Control	Learning Module Pandemic Planning
Medication	Ask Practice Decision Tool Learning Module Medication Standard: An Overview (webcast) Critical Inquiry and Evidence-Informed Practice (webcast)
Nurse Practitioner	Learning Module NP Practice Resources NP Diagnostic and Prescriptive Authority
Professional Standards	Learning Module Webcast
Restraints	Learning Module
Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship	Abuse Prevention Ask Practice Learning Module Maintaining Boundaries (Webcast)

Practice Guidelines
Authorizing Mechanisms Ask Practice Webcasts	Complementary Therapies
Conflict Prevention and Management	Consent Ask Practice Learning Module
Culturally Sensitive Care	Directives
Disagreeing With the Plan of Care	Guidance on Nurses’ Roles in Medical assistance in dying Additional MAID Resources
Independent Practice Ask Practice	Influenza Vaccinations
Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic Pandemic Planning
Refusing Assignments and Discontinuing Nursing Services	RN and RPN Practice: The Client, the Nurse and the Environment Ask Practice Webcast
Supporting Learners	Telepractice
Working in Different Roles	Working With Unregulated Care Providers Ask Practice

Standards & Guidelines

Practice Standard

Resources

Practice Guidelines

Related Links

Page last reviewed August 02, 2017

College of Nurses of Ontario