Consultation Overview
The Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) is seeking feedback on proposed by-laws respecting publication of employer’s telephone number for Authorized Prescribers (APs). Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback during a 30-day period in accordance with section 9(2) of the Nursing Act.
Background
In addition to prescribing, authorized prescribers (AP), nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered nurse (RN) prescribers order screening and diagnostic tests such as laboratory and radiology tests as part of their client assessment and treatment plans. They may also order referrals to other health care professionals. Health care facilities and professionals must communicate the results or referral to the authorized prescriber.
If the public, health care facilities or professionals do not know how to contact and share client results with the AP, this can result in a delay in client care and treatment.
NSCN is proposing by-laws that will enable NSCN to publish the employer’s telephone number for all nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered nurse (RN) prescribers via “Search for a Nurse” on the NSCN website. Search for a nurse is the tool that allows stakeholders to identify and verify the status of a nurse. This by-law will require authorized prescribers to maintain their most up to date employer’s telephone number in the registrant portal.
This consultation will obtain feedback on the proposed by-laws that will require:
- Authorized prescribers to maintain the most up to date employer’s telephone number with NSCN on the registrant portal within 30 days of a change;
- NSCN to publish this information on the NSCN website via ‘Search for a Nurse’
See the proposed by-laws below.
Why is the publication of the employer’s telephone number for authorized prescribers important?
This is a public safety measure. Including the employer’s telephone number for authorized prescribers under “Search for a Nurse” provides health care facilities and or other professionals with the contact information they need to communicate about a referral, client’s test results or other care related items. This can reduce delays in client care and treatment by ensuring the employer’s telephone number for APs is publicly available to communicate vital client information in a timely manner.
Proposed By-Laws
NSCN proposes the following new by-laws respecting publication of employer’s telephone number for authorized prescribers:
PART XXII – PUBLICATION OF CONTACT INFORMATION
- 32.1 For purposes of this by-law, “employment or practice-related contact information” refers to the following:
- 32.1.1 employment or practice-related telephone number;
- 32.1.2 such other employment or practice contact information as determined by the CEO.
- 32.2 Pursuant to subsection 13(d) of the Nursing Act, the CEO shall publish on the College’s website the employment or practice-related contact information of registrants holding a licence in one of the following categories:
- 32.2.1 nurse practitioner licence;
- 32.2.2 registered nurse licence with authorization to prescribe;
if the CEO determines it is consistent with the objects of the College to make that information publicly available.
- 32.3 Registrants holding a licence in the categories under By-Law 32.2 must provide NSCN with updated employment or practice-related contact information within 30 days of a change.
Join the Conversation
Please provide your feedback by November 17, 2024, to NSCN by emailing Kayla Cunningham at kayla.cunningham@nscn.ca. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Next Steps
NSCN invites feedback from a range of stakeholders about the recommendations that are being considered and is open to the suggestions and feedback of all interested parties. Your input is valued and encouraged.
Once the feedback period is closed, the Board will review the feedback summary prior to their decision on whether to approve the proposed by-laws. If the proposed by-laws are approved, an updated By-Laws document will be posted on the NSCN website. We anticipate that in 2025, NSCN will be publishing the employer’s telephone number for all nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered nurse (RN) prescribers via NSCN’s “Search for a Nurse”.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact practice@nscn.ca.
