The College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (the College) is the regulatory body for the approximately 9,300 registered nurses, including nurse practitioners, licensed to practise in the province.

Registered Nurses Act
Under provincial legislation (the Registered Nurses Act), the College is responsible for protecting the public. The College achieves this mandate by promoting good practice, preventing poor practice, and intervening when practice is unacceptable. More specifically, the College is responsible for:

• setting standards for the educational preparation and qualifications required to enter the nursing profession as registered nurses or nurse practitioners (includes establishing standards for and approving university-based nursing education programs)
• establishing and maintaining the standards for nursing practice that registered nurses and nurse practitioners must meet in their day-to-day practice to ensure the delivery of safe, ethical and competent nursing care
• issuing nursing licences to qualified applicants: ensuring that those who practise as RNs or NPs are competent (the Registered Nurses Act requires individuals seeking employment in Nova Scotia as registered nurses or nurse practitioners to be licensed with the College)
• establishing initial and ongoing competencies required to practise nursing
• promoting and enhancing the continuing competence of registered nurses and nurse practitioners (includes education sessions to assist registered nurses and nurse practitioners in providing safe, ethical and competent nursing care)
• investigating all complaints related to nursing practice, and taking appropriate disciplinary action when there is evidence of misconduct, incompetence, incapacity or conduct unbecoming the profession.

College Mission
The mission of the College: Registered nurses regulating their profession to promote excellence in nursing practice.

College Council
A Council, comprised of registered nurses and public representatives, governs the College. The goals and policies established by the Council, in accordance with the legislation, provide direction to the College's Executive Director and staff. In accordance with the Registered Nurses Act, the Council must establish a number of statutory committees to carry out essential functions related to the College’s regulatory mandate. Each committee is composed of registered nurses and non-member (public) representatives.

Practising in Nova Scotia
Registered nurses and nurse practitioners in Nova Scotia practise in healthcare settings such as hospitals, community clinics, schools, private homes, doctors' offices, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, and business/industrial workplaces. View the list of active-practising RNs/NPs in Nova Scotia. 

Nursing in Nova Scotia has been self-regulating since 1910, when the province introduced the first nursing legislation in Canada.