ONTARIO-The Ontario government is proposing regulatory changes that will expand the scope of practice of nurse practitioners and registered nurses to order more tests and provide additional services in a variety of settings, including hospitals, interprofessional primary care teams and long-term care homes.

“The changes announced today to expand the scope of practice of NPs and registered nurses will alleviate the systemic challenges Ontarians face in accessing timely care. They demonstrate their confidence in the knowledge and skills of nurses who are at the very center of our health system. This expanded reach will lead to a more functional system and better health outcomes for Ontarians. said Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO).

Starting July 1, 2025, nurse practitioners will be able to:

• Order and apply a defibrillator to provide faster care to a person in cardiac arrest.
• Order and apply a pacemaker to allow people to receive care more quickly if their heart is not beating regularly.
• Order and perform electrocoagulation, a process to treat skin conditions and lesions, such as skin tags, helping people eliminate them faster.
• Certify a death in more circumstances.

Additionally, these changes to scope of practice will allow registered nurses to certify a death when it is expected, which will help ensure that death registration is completed more quickly while preserving the dignity of the deceased person for their family.

“Ontario is proud to be home to world-class healthcare professionals and our government continues to make innovative changes to enable them to work to the full extent of their expertise and training,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health. “Expanding the role of highly qualified nurse practitioners and registered nurses is another step our government is taking to provide more people with the right care, in the right place.

Expanding the Scope of Practice of Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses on the previous government investment to attract more nurses to the health system by training new nurses, increasing opportunities for current nurses to access specialized training to improve their skills while on the job and reduce barriers for internationally trained nurses, allowing them to register to work in Ontario more quickly and start caring for Ontarians sooner.

“NPAO applauds the provincial government’s initiative to expand the scope of practice of nurse practitioners. These changes represent a necessary shift to improve our ability to provide timely, comprehensive care across a multitude of practice settings, thereby improving access for all Ontarians. By leveraging the full breadth of our training and expertise, nurse practitioners can play a crucial role in ensuring a more integrated health system in Ontario. said Dr. Michelle Acorn, CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO).