Practice Consultation Trends

RNs and employers inquired if RN prescribing is within the RN scope of practice in N.B. and what training is required.

Did you know? Under the current Nurses Act, only NPs are permitted to prescribe. The proposed new Nursing Act includes the concept of expanded scope of practice, which would permit registrants, who meet Board-established educational and other requirements, to engage in an expanded scope, such as RN prescribing. CNNB is in the early stages of developing an RN prescribing framework and intends to implement RN prescribing once legislative authority is in place under the new Nurses Act.

The Role of the Nurse and the Scope of Practice Toolkit

RNs requested approval or recommendations for post-entry level education programs or courses.

Did you know? CNNB has the legislated responsibility to set nursing education program standards and approve NB nursing programs leading to eligibility for registration as an RN or NP. CNNB does not review, approve or recommend any other types of nursing education courses or programs. Each nurse is responsible for doing their research and determining if the course/program is reputable, approved and/or accredited, and then determining if the course/program meets their learning needs and professional development goals. If the educational requirement is set by the employer, please refer to the employer for guidance.

Education& Support (CNNB webpage)

Nurses inquired regarding the results and how to respond to their CCP audit.

Did you know? In January 2026, over 500 CCPs were audited to determine if all the CCP components were completed and met all the requirements. The results showed that a common misunderstanding is that the CCP is a retrospective process. The CCP is actually a prospective process to plan what you are going to learn in the upcoming practice year, therefore Step 1 Self-assessment must be completed at the start of each practice year - in December/January - to generate your learning plan that will be implemented throughout the practice year. Prior to renewal at the end of the practice year, the learning plan is assessed and the impact of practice is documented; for more information : Continuing Competency Program.

CCP Annual Planning Guide

Guide to the Continuous Competency Program (CCP)

FAQ: Continuing Competence Program

Nurses requested support to adress professional practice issues (PPIs) in their practice setting.

Did you know? A PPI is defined as any situation in the workplace that has or could place clients at risk and/or interfere with the nurse’s ability to practice in accordance with the Standards of Practice, the Code of Ethics, the Nurses Act or other legislation, workplace policies, procedures or other relevant standards and guidelines. Nurses are expected to recognize and take action in situations where client safety is potentially or actually at risk and to advocate for and contribute to quality professional practice environments - for more information: Practice Guideline: Resolving Professional Practice Issues.

RNs and NPs inquired if the delivery of specific nursing services in a self-employment context would be considered nursing practice ?

Did you know? Self-employed practice is a growing area of nursing practice. To be able to determine if specific services are considered as nursing practice, including if those hours of practice are eligible to be counted as hours of nursing practice for annual renewal, if the professional title can be used, and to determine eligibility for professional liability insurance through the Canadian Nurse Protective Society, CNNB currently requires all nurses involved in self-employed practice, or practising in a non‑clinical role, or in an emerging area of nursing practice, or functioning as an independent contractor or within the private sector, or affiliated with or operating an autonomous practice to submit an assessment of practice. For more information: Recognition of Nursing Practice and Self-Employed Practice Toolkit.