As a regulator, the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) plays an important role in patient safety and protecting the public. Our role is to serve the public interest by ensuring safe, competent and ethical care by our registrants.
Our primary mandate is to protect the public by ensuring safe, competent and ethical nursing practise.
Excellence in nursing regulation for the health of all Albertans.
The CRNA develops standards that set the minimum expectations of RNs and NPs.
The CRNA is responsible for addressing complaints made about the conduct of its registrants.
The CRNA provides guidance on how registrants apply the standards of practice, code of ethics, continuing competence requirements and registration requirements to their nursing practice.
Helping nurses maintain professional competence throughout their careers.
The CRNA provides Guidelines and Practice Advice to identify principles, provide direction, clarify roles and responsibilities and help apply standards to the practice of RNs and NPs.
Regulation is necessary to create accountability in our health-care system. The Health Professions Act (HPA) is the legislative framework the CRNA uses to collaborate with the government as partners in protecting the public.
The CRNA's role as a regulatory college is to serve the public interest by ensuring safe, competent and ethical care by our registrants. The CRNA sets minimum standards of practice, ensures registration requirements are met and enforces discipline.
To practise nursing in Alberta, a practice permit is required. To maintain their permit, registrants must meet ongoing registration requirements, are expected to know and follow the CRNA standards as well as a Code of Ethics and all legislation that applies to their practice.
The CRNA has supports for patients with complaints about sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.
The CRNA is creating an environment that genuinely expresses consideration of all people.
Here is a small selection of common frequently asked questions, but you can read more by going to our Practice Guidance FAQs pages.
In Alberta, there are different types of nurses:
While individuals in all the above categories may use the protected title "nurse" (under the authority of the Health Professions Act), there are differences between the various types of nurses.
1. Regulatory Body
Under the Health Professions Act, different regulatory bodies are authorized to govern and regulate each type of nurse. Each regulatory body has its own registration and education requirements. For more information, please contact the appropriate regulatory body:
Please visit the CRNA’s statement on how we operate for further details.
2. Education and Training
Each regulatory body sets the requirements for approved education:
For more information on the difference between RNs and NPs, please Frequently Asked Questions: Registered Nurse (RN) vs Nurse Practitioner (NP). You may also visit Post-Secondary Education Requirement page to learn more about the education requirements for both RNs and NPs.
3. Scope of Practice
While there may be some overlap in the scopes of practice (SOP) among different types of nurses, the SOP for individuals will differ based on applicable legislation, restricted activities, standards and policies set by their regulatory bodies, employer requirements and individual competence.
For more information on the CRNA registrant’s scope of practice, please refer to our Scope of Practice resources:
All registrants are responsible for understanding the Practice Standards for Registrants and applying them to their practice. The Practice Standards for Registrants always apply to all registrants regardless of their domain of practice, role or setting. The standards outline the minimum expectations for registrants whose practice will be measured by the CRNA, the public, clients, employers, colleagues and themselves.
The self-employed practice checklists include resources and information for any registrant engaged in or wanting to engage in self-employed practice. Registrants can read more about self-employed practice here.
Self-employed Assessment Checklist: Am I Practising Registered Nursing?
Self-assessment Checklist for Self-employed RN or NP Practice
Additional resources:
An RN can only supervise a nursing student performing a restricted activity if the RN is authorized and competent to perform the restricted activity without being required to have supervision themselves, and consents to supervising the nursing student performing the restricted activity.
A conversation with a faculty member of the approved nursing program regarding the type of supervision (direct, indirect or indirect remote) required is necessary as each restricted activity and skill may warrant a different level of supervision based on the program expectations and the student’s competency level. Following the supervision of the restricted activity, the registrant must address and manage any competence issues that are observed during the nursing student’s performance. Collaboration with the faculty member will also be necessary to address any competency-related concerns.
The purpose of the quality assurance review is to periodically confirm accuracy of applicant or registrant attestations. As a Right-touch relational regulator, the CRNA trusts that applicants or registrants attest accurately and honestly when they apply for a nursing permit.
QA Review outcomes inform risk assessment, process improvement initiatives, provide confidence to the public and set minimum expectations for registrants of the College. It is also intended to be informative and supportive.
A Compassionate Intervention Order is an order that allows individuals to be involuntarily committed to treatment if it is determined that they are “likely to cause substantial harm to themselves or others within a reasonable time due to their substance use or addiction,” according to an information sheet from the Government of Alberta.
RNs and NPs working designated Compassionate Intervention Facilities or providing community-based services may participate in stabilization, medical withdrawal support, assessments and ongoing treatments.
For questions related to the funding of the NPPCP contact the NPAA or refer to the Government of Alberta website.
