How We Serve the Public
The NL College of Nurses serves the public by regulating Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Psychiatric Nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Our authority comes from the Nurses Act, which defines our duty to regulate nursing for the public’s benefit.
We establish standards for safe, ethical, and skilled nursing practice. We also approve nursing education programs that prepare students for the nursing profession. We register and license nurses, support their ongoing competence, and take action when standards are not met. We provide the public with clear information, so they know what to expect from nurses and how to raise concerns.
Our goal is to ensure that anyone receiving nursing care in this province can trust that it is safe and accountable.
Mandate, Mission, & Vision
Our mandate is to protect the public by regulating the profession of nursing— Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Psychiatric Nurses—under the authority of the Nurses Act of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Our mission is to regulate the nursing profession and strengthen public confidence in safe, competent, and ethical care. This is achieved through clear standards, ongoing education, and accountability. The College upholds the integrity of nursing regulation.
The vision of the College is to be a trusted leader in nursing regulation and excellence for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Regulating All Nurses
The College regulates 4 nursing designations in Newfoundland and Labrador. Each designation plays an essential role in the healthcare system, with specific education, responsibilities, and scopes of practice. Together, they contribute to safe, competent, and ethical care across a wide range of settings in a number of diversified roles.
Registered Nurses play a central role in the delivery of healthcare. They assess patients and develop/manage care plans, to respond to complex or changing health needs. Their strong clinical judgment and ability to coordinate care make them essential in ensuring patients receive appropriate and timely treatment.
Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses with advanced education and training. They assess patients, diagnose conditions, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and manage patient care. Their role supports timely access to care and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system.
Licensed Practical Nurses provide direct, hands-on care to patients with less complex and predictable health needs. They work both autonomously and collaboratively with other healthcare providers to deliver consistent and compassionate care. Their role is vital in supporting patient safety, and overall health needs of their patients.
Registered Psychiatric Nurses specialize in mental health and addictions care. They assess, plan, and provide care for individuals experiencing mental health challenges, building therapeutic relationships that support recovery and well-being. Their expertise is essential in addressing complex mental health needs across various care settings.
All nursing designations are regulated by the College and are held to consistent standards for professionalism, accountability, and ongoing competence. This ensures that the public can trust the care provided by nurses, regardless of their designation or practice setting.
About the Merger
The NL College of Nurses was created through the merger of the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This brought Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Psychiatric Nurses under one unified organization. The passage of the Nurses Act provided the legal authority to enable this merger, which became official on April 15, 2026. Read the merger announcement news release.
During the post-merger transition, resources, policies, and processes are being reviewed and aligned where appropriate to support consistency and clarity. The merger strengthens public protection by creating a single, consistent regulatory framework for all nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you have questions, we encourage you to contact us for more information.