Roles in Nursing
In Ontario, nursing is one profession with two categories of care providers: Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). While there are areas of overlap between the two categories, the roles differ in terms of educational preparation — depth and breadth of knowledge — and the degree of autonomy in practice. Nurses in both categories are important and valued members of our health force.
RNs graduate with a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing. RPNs graduate with a two-year practical nursing diploma. RNs practice more autonomously when making decisions and carrying out nursing responsibilities regardless of the complexity of care needs and in all practice environments. An RPNs autonomy increases when caring for people with less complex conditions. The RPN practices in consultation and collaboration with an RN when care needs or situations increase in complexity.
Further education for nurses in the provision of primary health care has been established to accommodate the role of the nurse practitioner. Based on their advanced knowledge and decision-making skills, nurse practitioners are able to perform some of the diagnostic and treatment functions that were previously within the domain of physicians.
Nurse Practitioners Frequently Asked Questions
One of the key components of the HealthForceOntario strategy involves establishing innovative new health care professional roles in areas of high need. Two of the four new roles already announced are open to registered nurses:
Nurse Endoscopist
A registered nurse with extended specialized education in anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology who works with a physician to perform flexible sigmoidoscopies (i.e., diagnostic procedure used to screen for abnormalities in the lower third of the colon). These individuals can support Ontario’s colon cancer screening initiative.
Surgical First Assist
Works with the surgeon and the rest of the operating room team to ensure the safe outcome for a surgical patient before, during and after surgery. A registered nurse can perform this role with an additional certification in surgical first assistance.
Other Health Profession Roles
Physician Assistant
The Physician Assistant (PA) in Ontario will assist supervising physicians to deliver medical services within patient care teams in various settings. Under direction of the supervising physician, these services may include conducting patient interviews, histories, physical examinations; performing selected diagnostic and therapeutic interventions; ordering and interpreting patient laboratory and radiological results; and counselling patients on preventive health care.
Practice requirements and education program details are currently under development to expand career options for PAs, international medical graduates, as well as paramedics and other highly skilled and experienced practitioners. Already Physician Assistants are used in the Canadian Forces, other parts of Canada and around the world.
Ontario Physician Assistant Initiative
Physician Assistants in Ontario
Physician Assistant Frequently Asked Questions
Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist
The Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) is a medical radiation technologist (radiation therapist) with additional training to provide more specialized care within the radiation treatment team. CSRTs will work with radiation oncologists, nurses, medical physicists and other team members to ensure safe and optimal patient outcomes in radiation treatment cancer care settings. Increasing the flexibility of staffing through this role is designed to improve system efficiency and contribute to improved access of Ontarians to cancer care.
Anesthesia Assistant
A health professional who participates in the care of the stable surgical patient during anesthesia, under medical directives and under the supervision of the anesthesiologist. Respiratory therapists and Registered Nurses who successfully complete the program will work in anesthesia departments as part of an anesthesia care team.