
	Research : Reports

Appendix B-1 [Table of Contents]

APPENDIX B-1
Legal Definition of Nurse / Nursing

" Nurse " / " Nursing Practice " Legislation

Practice of Nursing A registered nurse and a certified graduate nurse are entitled to apply professional knowledge for the purpose of
(a) promoting, maintaining or restoring health;
(b) preventing illness, injury or disability;
(c) caring for the injured, disabled or incapacitated;
(d) assisting in childbirth;
(e) teaching nursing theory or practice;
(f) caring for the dying;
(g) co-ordinating health care
; (h) engaging in the administration, education, teaching or research required to implement or complement exclusive nursing practice or all matters referred to in clauses (a) to (g).
ALBERTA
Nursing Profession Act,
SA 1983, Chap. N-14.5

s. 3 " The practice of nursing is the promotion of health and the assessment of, the provision of care for and the treatment of health conditions by supportive, preventive, therapeutic, palliative and rehabilitative means in order to attain or maintain optimal function."
S. 4 Authorized acts:
In the course of engaging in the practice of nursing, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, to perform the following:
(a) Performing a prescribed procedure below the dermis or a mucous membrane
(b) Administrating a substance by injection or inhalation
(c) Putting an instrument, hand or finger

(i) beyond the external ear canal
(ii) beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow
(iii) beyond the larynx
(iv) beyond the opening of the urethra
(v) beyond the labia majora
(vi) beyond the anal verge, or
(vii) into an artificial opening in the body.
ONTARIO
Nursing Act, 1991,
SO 1991, c. 32

" registered nurse" means a person possessed of the qualifications required by this Act, and who is authorized to offer services for the care of the sick and to give care intended for the prevention of disease and to receive remuneration, and who is a member in good standing of the association NEWFOUNDLAND
Registered Nurses Act ,
RSN 1990, c. R-9

s. 2 (k) practice of nursing means the performance of professional services requiring substantial specialized knowledge of nursing theory and the biological, physical, behavioural, psychological and sociological sciences as the basis for
(i) assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in

(A) the promotion and maintenance of health,
(B) the facilitation of the management of illness, injury or infirmity,
(C) the restoration of optimum function, or
(D) palliative care or
(ii) research, education, management or administration incidental to the objectives referred to clause (i)

s. 2 (w) " practice of medicine" includes ...(iii) offering or undertaking to prevent or to diagnose, correct or treat in any manner or by any means, methods, devices or instrumentalities any disease, illness, pain, wound, fracture, infirmity, defect or abnormal physical or mental condition of any person
s. 3 Regulations ( p) respecting delegation of medical acts
NOVA SCOTIA
Registered Nurses Act,
SNS 1996, c. 30

Medical Act,
SNS 1995-96, c. 10

s. 1 (g) nurse ..any person who is possessed of qualifications required by the Act, and who is authorized to offer service for the care of the sick and to give care intended for the prevention of disease and to receive remuneration therefor, and any member of the Association PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Nurses Act,
SPEI 1988, c. N-4

s.2 Nursing is the practice of nursing and includes nursing assessment and treatment of human responses to active or potential health problems and the nursing supervision thereof
s.2 Health professional means a person who provides a service related to
(i) the preservation or improvement of the health of individuals, or
(ii) the diagnosis, treatment or care of individuals who are injured, sick, disabled or infirm and who is regulated under a private Act of the Legislature with respect to the provision of the service and includes a social worker registered...under the Social Workers Act, 1988
NEW BRUNSWICK
Nurses Act,
SNB 1994, c.71 (a private statute)

Practice of Nursing: Every act the object of which is to identify the health needs of persons, contribute to methods of diagnosis, provide and control the nursing care required for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment and rehabilitation, and to provide care according to a medical prescription constitute the profession of nursing. QUEBEC
Nurses Act,
SQ 1996 c. I

British Columbia's statute does not define 'nurse' or 'practice of nursing'. A registered nurse is simply defined as someone who is registered under section 14 of the Act which sets out the criteria for registration. BRITISH COLUMBIA
Registered Nurses Act
RSBC 1996 Chap. 335

Practice of nursing means the 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 or 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 judgement of a person who qualifies for registration pursuant to section 19 or 20;
(iv) specialized knowledge of nursing theory other than that mentioned in subclause (iii);
(v) skill or judgement acquired through nursing practice other than that mentioned in subclause (iii); or
(vi) other knowledge of biological, physical, behavioural, psychological and sociological sciences that is relevant to the knowledge, skill or judgement described in subclause (iii), (iv) or (v). SASKATCHEWAN
Registered Nurses Act, 1988
SS 1988-89 c. R-12.2

S. 2(1) Practice of nursing means representing oneself as a registered nurse while carrying out the practice of those functions which, directly or indirectly in collaboration with a client and with other health workers, have as their objective, promotion of health, prevention of illness, alleviation of suffering, restoration of health and maximum development of health potential and without restricting the generality of the foregoing includes
(a) collecting data relating to the health status of an individual or groups of individuals
(b) interpreting data and identifying health problems,
(c) setting career goals,
(d) determining nursing care approaches,
(e) implementing care, supportive or restorative of life and wellbeing,
(f) implementing care relevant to medical treatment,
(g) assessing outcomes, and
(h) revising plans MANITOBA
Registered Nurses Act
R.S.M. 1987, c. 40

The practice is the application of nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to promote, maintain and restore, health, prevent illness and alleviate suffering, and includes, but is not limited to,
(a) assessing health status;
(b) planning, providing and evaluating treatment and nursing interventions;
(c) counselling and teaching to enhance health and well-being; and
(d) education, administration and research related to providing health services. MANITOBA
Registered Nurses Act
S.M. 1999, c. 36
( Not yet proclaimed)

Nursing means the application of professional nursing knowledge or services for compensation for the purpose of
(a) promoting, maintaining, and restoring health,
(b) preventing illness, injury, or disability,
(c) caring for persons who are sick, injured, disabled, or dying
(d) assisting in pre-natal care, childbirth, and post-natal care,
(e) coordinating health care, or
(g) engaging in administration, teaching, or research to implement a matter referred to in paragraphs (a) to (f). YUKON
Registered Nurses Profession Act
SY 1992, c. c. 11

"Nurse" or "nursing practice" are not defined in the statute. Titles are referred to in section 20 which says that a "person who holds a certificate of registration may use the title "Registered Nurse" and use after his or her name the letters "Reg. N." or "R.N." NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Nursing Profession Act,
R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. 4

The Nursing Act (Nunavut) is referred to in section 35 of the Nursing Profession Act of NWT as the operative statute to give the NWTRNA the transitional powers to regulate nursing in Nunavut. To date we have been unable to secure a copy of this document. NUNAVUT
Nursing Act (Nunavut)

" Nurse " / " Nursing Practice "	Legislation
Practice of Nursing A registered nurse and a certified graduate nurse are entitled to apply professional knowledge for the purpose of (a) promoting, maintaining or restoring health; (b) preventing illness, injury or disability; (c) caring for the injured, disabled or incapacitated; (d) assisting in childbirth; (e) teaching nursing theory or practice; (f) caring for the dying; (g) co-ordinating health care ; (h) engaging in the administration, education, teaching or research required to implement or complement exclusive nursing practice or all matters referred to in clauses (a) to (g).	ALBERTA Nursing Profession Act, SA 1983, Chap. N-14.5
s. 3 " The practice of nursing is the promotion of health and the assessment of, the provision of care for and the treatment of health conditions by supportive, preventive, therapeutic, palliative and rehabilitative means in order to attain or maintain optimal function." S. 4 Authorized acts: In the course of engaging in the practice of nursing, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, to perform the following: (a) Performing a prescribed procedure below the dermis or a mucous membrane (b) Administrating a substance by injection or inhalation (c) Putting an instrument, hand or finger (i) beyond the external ear canal (ii) beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow (iii) beyond the larynx (iv) beyond the opening of the urethra (v) beyond the labia majora (vi) beyond the anal verge, or (vii) into an artificial opening in the body.	ONTARIO Nursing Act, 1991, SO 1991, c. 32
" registered nurse" means a person possessed of the qualifications required by this Act, and who is authorized to offer services for the care of the sick and to give care intended for the prevention of disease and to receive remuneration, and who is a member in good standing of the association	NEWFOUNDLAND Registered Nurses Act , RSN 1990, c. R-9
s. 2 (k) practice of nursing means the performance of professional services requiring substantial specialized knowledge of nursing theory and the biological, physical, behavioural, psychological and sociological sciences as the basis for (i) assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in (A) the promotion and maintenance of health, (B) the facilitation of the management of illness, injury or infirmity, (C) the restoration of optimum function, or (D) palliative care or (ii) research, education, management or administration incidental to the objectives referred to clause (i) s. 2 (w) " practice of medicine" includes ...(iii) offering or undertaking to prevent or to diagnose, correct or treat in any manner or by any means, methods, devices or instrumentalities any disease, illness, pain, wound, fracture, infirmity, defect or abnormal physical or mental condition of any person s. 3 Regulations ( p) respecting delegation of medical acts	NOVA SCOTIA Registered Nurses Act, SNS 1996, c. 30 Medical Act, SNS 1995-96, c. 10
s. 1 (g) nurse ..any person who is possessed of qualifications required by the Act, and who is authorized to offer service for the care of the sick and to give care intended for the prevention of disease and to receive remuneration therefor, and any member of the Association	PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Nurses Act, SPEI 1988, c. N-4
s.2 Nursing is the practice of nursing and includes nursing assessment and treatment of human responses to active or potential health problems and the nursing supervision thereof s.2 Health professional means a person who provides a service related to (i) the preservation or improvement of the health of individuals, or (ii) the diagnosis, treatment or care of individuals who are injured, sick, disabled or infirm and who is regulated under a private Act of the Legislature with respect to the provision of the service and includes a social worker registered...under the Social Workers Act, 1988	NEW BRUNSWICK Nurses Act, SNB 1994, c.71 (a private statute)
Practice of Nursing: Every act the object of which is to identify the health needs of persons, contribute to methods of diagnosis, provide and control the nursing care required for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment and rehabilitation, and to provide care according to a medical prescription constitute the profession of nursing.	QUEBEC Nurses Act, SQ 1996 c. I
British Columbia's statute does not define 'nurse' or 'practice of nursing'. A registered nurse is simply defined as someone who is registered under section 14 of the Act which sets out the criteria for registration.	BRITISH COLUMBIA Registered Nurses Act RSBC 1996 Chap. 335
Practice of nursing means the 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 or 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 judgement of a person who qualifies for registration pursuant to section 19 or 20; (iv) specialized knowledge of nursing theory other than that mentioned in subclause (iii); (v) skill or judgement acquired through nursing practice other than that mentioned in subclause (iii); or (vi) other knowledge of biological, physical, behavioural, psychological and sociological sciences that is relevant to the knowledge, skill or judgement described in subclause (iii), (iv) or (v).	SASKATCHEWAN Registered Nurses Act, 1988 SS 1988-89 c. R-12.2
S. 2(1) Practice of nursing means representing oneself as a registered nurse while carrying out the practice of those functions which, directly or indirectly in collaboration with a client and with other health workers, have as their objective, promotion of health, prevention of illness, alleviation of suffering, restoration of health and maximum development of health potential and without restricting the generality of the foregoing includes (a) collecting data relating to the health status of an individual or groups of individuals (b) interpreting data and identifying health problems, (c) setting career goals, (d) determining nursing care approaches, (e) implementing care, supportive or restorative of life and wellbeing, (f) implementing care relevant to medical treatment, (g) assessing outcomes, and (h) revising plans	MANITOBA Registered Nurses Act R.S.M. 1987, c. 40
The practice is the application of nursing knowledge, skill and judgment to promote, maintain and restore, health, prevent illness and alleviate suffering, and includes, but is not limited to, (a) assessing health status; (b) planning, providing and evaluating treatment and nursing interventions; (c) counselling and teaching to enhance health and well-being; and (d) education, administration and research related to providing health services.	MANITOBA Registered Nurses Act S.M. 1999, c. 36 ( Not yet proclaimed)
Nursing means the application of professional nursing knowledge or services for compensation for the purpose of (a) promoting, maintaining, and restoring health, (b) preventing illness, injury, or disability, (c) caring for persons who are sick, injured, disabled, or dying (d) assisting in pre-natal care, childbirth, and post-natal care, (e) coordinating health care, or (g) engaging in administration, teaching, or research to implement a matter referred to in paragraphs (a) to (f).	YUKON Registered Nurses Profession Act SY 1992, c. c. 11
"Nurse" or "nursing practice" are not defined in the statute. Titles are referred to in section 20 which says that a "person who holds a certificate of registration may use the title "Registered Nurse" and use after his or her name the letters "Reg. N." or "R.N."	NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Nursing Profession Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. 4
The Nursing Act (Nunavut) is referred to in section 35 of the Nursing Profession Act of NWT as the operative statute to give the NWTRNA the transitional powers to regulate nursing in Nunavut. To date we have been unable to secure a copy of this document.	NUNAVUT Nursing Act (Nunavut)