On June 17, 2016, the federal government’s Bill C-14 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying) received royal assent and became law in Canada. As a result of receiving royal assent, the provisions of Bill C-14 which amend the Criminal Code now form…
Read MoreIn the nursing profession, patient advocacy is usually discussed within an ethical framework. Is there a corresponding legal duty? Canadian court decisions have recognized the existence of a legal nursing duty to obtain proper care for patients, even when this requires nurses to seek assistance outside the usual treatment team (i.e. by speaking to someone…
Read MoreWith Canada in the midst of a nursing shortage, many nurses are concerned about its impact on their own practice and their patients’ well-being. They are also concerned about possible legal consequences to themselves. Nurses are subject to a variety of laws, depending on the circumstances. As licensed professionals, nurses must uphold their provincial or…
Read MoreThe following Q&A may assist eligible nurses who have legal questions about providing professional nursing services during natural disasters, such as wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, etc. Question: Do I remain eligible for CNPS professional liability protection if I provide professional services during a natural disaster? Answer: Yes. CNPS beneficiaries continue to have access to CNPS services…
Read MoreCost-containment strategies have meant the loss of many registered nurse positions in health care facilities across Canada. Nurses are concerned about whether there will be enough adequately prepared professional health care staff to ensure safe, competent care consistent with professional nursing standards. Fears have arisen that substituting unregulated health care workers for nurses may pose…
Read MoreNote: In this document, references to dispensation of medication specifically refer to the dispensation of medication without an order by RNs who have additional authority obtained by way of certification or other official recognition, for the treatment of specific conditions following a nursing assessment. In an effort to safely improve timely access to care for…
Read MoreSupervision entails initial direction, periodic inspection and corrective action when needed. It is the active process of directing, assigning, delegating, guiding, monitoring an individual’s performance of an activity to influence its outcome. Supervision can be direct (being physically present or immediately available while the activity is being performed) or indirect (providing direction through various means…
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