Table 4.

Comparison of Legislated Definitions of Nursing Practice.

Aspect of regulatory content or processes	Definition of nursing practice
CNO	“The promotion of health and the assessment of, the provision of care for and the treatment of health conditions by supportive, preventative, therapeutic, palliative and rehabilitative means in order to attain or maintain optimal function” (Nursing Act, 1991, c. 2(3)).
CRNA	“In their practice, registered nurses do one or more of the following: (a) based on an ethic of caring and the goals and circumstances of those receiving nursing services, registered nurses apply nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to: (i) assist individuals, families, groups and communities to achieve their optimal physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health and well-being, (ii) assess, diagnose and provide treatment and interventions and make referrals, (iii) prevent or treat injury and illness, (iv) teach, counsel and advocate to enhance health and well-being, (v) co-ordinate, supervise, monitor and evaluate the provision of health services, (vi) teach nursing theory and practice, (vii) manage, administer and allocate resources related to health services, and (viii) engage in research related to health and the practice of nursing, and (b) provide restricted activities authorized by the regulations” (Health Professions Act, 2000, Schedule 24.3(a)).
CRNS	“Performance or co-ordination of health care services including but not limited to: (i) observing and assessing the health status of clients and planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care and (ii) the counselling, teaching, supervision, administration and research that is required to implement or complement health care services; for the purpose of promoting, maintaining or restoring health, preventing illness and alleviating suffering where the performance or co-ordination of those services requires: (iii) the knowledge, skill or judgment of a person who qualifies for registration” (The Registered Nurses Act, 1988, c. 2(k)).

CNO: College of Nurses of Ontario; CRNA: College of Registered Nurses of Alberta; CRNS: College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan.