Newfoundland and Labrador’s Nursing Regulators Unite to Form the NL College of Nurses
St. John’s, NL — Today marks a historic milestone in the regulation of nursing in Newfoundland and Labrador as the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CRNNL) and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL) officially merge to become the NL College of Nurses.
This landmark transition brings nursing regulation in the province together under a single, unified organization for the first time. The NL College of Nurses is now the largest health regulator in Newfoundland and Labrador, responsible for overseeing the practice of Registered Nurses (RNs), NursePractitioners (NPs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs).
“This transition allows us to build a more cohesive and responsive regulatory system.”
The creation of the NL College of Nurses strengthens public protection by enhancing consistency in regulatory oversight, improving system efficiency, and supporting a more coordinated approach to professional standards, registration, and discipline across all nursing designations.
“This is a defining moment for nursing regulation in our province.” said Lynn Power, CEO and Registrar of the NL College of Nurses. “By bringing all nursing professionals under one regulatory body, we are strengthening our ability to protect the public and ensure safe, competent, and ethical nursing care now and into the future.”
The merger reflects years of collaboration, planning, and legislative advancement aimed at modernizing the regulatory framework in Newfoundland and Labrador. While the structure of regulation has changed, there will be no disruption to services. All current registrations, applications, and regulatory processes will continue seamlessly under the new organization.
“This transition allows us to build a more cohesive and responsive regulatory system” said Wanda Wadman, Deputy Registrar. “We are aligning processes and standards in a way that maintains the integrity of each nursing designation while improving clarity and accessibility for both nurses and the public.”
The NL College of Nurses will continue to uphold rigorous standards of practice, codes of ethics, and entry-to-practice requirements, while advancing a consistent and transparent approach to professional
regulation.
“This merger positions us to better serve the public interest,” said Tonya Ryan, Chair of the College Board. “A unified regulator enhances accountability and ensures that all nurses in the province are governed by a strong, modern, and effective framework.”
“Today represents the culmination of a shared vision,” added Chris Janes, Vice Chair of the College Board. “It reflects our collective commitment to regulatory excellence and to maintaining public confidence in the nursing profession.”
The public, stakeholders, and nurses can expect continuity in all regulatory functions, including registration, continuing competency, complaints, and discipline processes.
-30-
Media Contact
James Sheppard
Directory of Strategic Relations
NL College of Nurses
(709) 730-3436
JSheppard@nlcn.ca
Backgrounder
Nursing regulation in Newfoundland and Labrador has evolved over many decades through the work of two established regulatory bodies. The Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, founded in 1954 (later becoming the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador), and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses, founded in 1984, have each played an important role in setting standards for education, registration, and professional conduct. Over the years, thousands of nurses in the province have had a direct connection to these organizations—making them a familiar and important part of the professional landscape.
On April 15, 2026, these two long-standing regulators will formally merge to form the NL College of Nurses. This milestone represents a major step forward and will establish the largest healthcare regulator in Newfoundland and Labrador. Thousands of nurses who have engaged with the former organizations will now transition to this new, unified College, which will also serve current and future members of the profession.
The NL College of Nurses will regulate four nursing designations—Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs)—under one unified framework. This will support more consistent standards, clearer processes, and a more coordinated approach to regulation.
Building on decades of experience, the new College reflects a modern and streamlined approach to regulation—one that is responsive to today’s healthcare environment while continuing to ensure safe, competent, and ethical nursing care for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.