Standards of Practice
Welcome to the Practice of Standards Page for the College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (CANNN).
Our practice standards apply to all nurses we regulate in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs). These standards ensure nurses deliver safe, ethical, and professional care in every setting and uphold the trust of the public.
What Are Practice Standards?
Practice standards outline the minimum expectations for nurses, providing guidance to ensure they deliver consistent and professional care. These standards are tied to legislation, codes of conduct, and ethical principles, promoting accountability, trust, and transparency.
Key Practice Standards
Below are some of the critical standards for nursing practice:
- All advertising must be ethical, truthful, and compliant with legislation.
- Nurses must include their name and professional designation in advertisements.
- Social media use for promotion must maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
- Establishes accountability to clients, colleagues, and the public.
- Emphasizes professionalism, cultural safety, and ethical behavior.
- Upholds public trust in nursing through six key principles, including respect, integrity, and client-centered care.
- Sets practice standards for Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism for all CANNN nurses (RNs, LPNs, RPNs, NPs).
- Emphasizes self-awareness, anti-racism, and trauma-informed care to ensure equitable and respectful healthcare for Indigenous communities.
- Aligns with CANNN policies and legislation to promote culturally safe, inclusive, and collaborative nursing practices in the NWT and NU.
- Covers elective, non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as injectables.
- Requires specific training and collaboration with authorized prescribers.
- Ensures safe, ethical, and competent practice in clinical settings.
- Nurses must report issues such as criminal charges, professional misconduct, or health conditions that may impact their practice.
- The self-reporting process is confidential and designed to provide support and remediation.
- Sets professional standards for nurses’ social media use, ensuring ethical, legal, and responsible online interactions.
- Emphasizes confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity, protecting patient privacy and maintaining public trust.
- Guides nurses on appropriate online behavior, including maintaining boundaries, avoiding misinformation, and ensuring respectful communication.
- Defines the proper use of nursing titles (RN, NP, LPN, RPN) to ensure compliance with CANNN regulations and legislation.
- Prohibits unauthorized use of nursing titles and commercial endorsements to maintain public trust and professional integrity.
- Outlines accountability for dual roles and non-nursing positions, ensuring nurses act within their legal and professional scope.
