Nursing Regulation in NL

Nursing regulation in Newfoundland and Labrador has evolved over time to coincide with the growth of the profession.

Formation of the Colleges

The foundation was set in 1954. This is when the Association of Registered Nurses was established with a broad mandate, with regulation as a central focus. In 1984, a separate organization was created to regulate licensed practical nurses. This recognized their distinct and important role in care delivery. Over the years, both organizations evolved:

• clarifying their responsibilities
• strengthening their mandates
• focusing fully on regulation by setting standards for education, registration, and professional conduct

The College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL) and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL) operated independently for many years. However, they often worked together to align their respective processes and frameworks.

Stronger Together

This collaboration led to a significant milestone on April 15, 2026, when the two organizations merged to form the NL College of Nurses. For the first time, all nursing designations—registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses—are regulated under one organization. This has created a more consistent and streamlined approach to nursing regulation in the province.