Get into the act: an update on the AARN's progress on regulation development under the Health Professions Act

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An update on the AARN's progress on regulation development under the Health Professions Act

Protected Titles, RNs and the HPA The Health Professions Act (HPA) is intended to provide the public with a better understanding of the accountability of health professionals and their regulatory colleges through common processes to register health professionals, investigate and resolve complaints, and discipline practitioners. Protected titles listed in the HPA will help the public more easily identify qualified practitioners and how to access their regulatory colleges.

Titles reserved for AARN members The AARN and Alberta Health and Wellness are proposing to add the title of 'Nurse Practitioner' and the initials 'NP' to the list of protected titles. The titles 'Registered Nurse,' 'RN,' 'Certified Graduate Nurse' and 'CGN' are currently protected in the Nursing Profession Act and will continue to be protected under the HPA. It is illegal for anyone to use any of the above titles unless they have met the requirements outlined by the AARN.

Under the HPA, the titles 'nurse practitioner' and 'NP' would replace the regulatory title 'registered nurse providing extended services' and the designation 'RN-EP' which are currently used by the AARN. The titles 'nurse,' 'doctor,' 'surgeon' and 'oncologist' are also protected under the act. The term 'nurse' is a protected title that only an individual who is a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or a licensed practical nurse is entitled to use. Under the HPA, anyone not legally permitted to use the term ,nurse' will be in violation of the law in Alberta.

The use of the title 'doctor' in academic or social situations is not restricted by this legislation. A registered nurse with an earned doctoral degree can use the title 'Doctor' or 'Dr.' in conjunction with the delivery of nursing practice.

College as a protected title The use of the term 'college' is also restricted in HPA. In the January issue of Alberta RN, we informed members that once HPA is proclaimed for registered nurses, the regulatory and professional association for registered nurses would become the Alberta Association and College of Registered Nurses (AACRN) instead of AARN. All regulatory bodies under the HPA are called colleges. Other organizations or associations of health professionals may not use the term college to imply that they are colleges under the HPA. The prohibition does not extend to academic institutions.

Development of regulations In December 2002, Alberta RN reported that the AARN expected to complete discussions with Alberta Health and Wellness by the end of 2002 and that Alberta Health would distribute a policy document to stakeholders for feedback in January 2003. These policies will guide the development of regulations specific to RNs in the HPA. In January, final discussions were ongoing and the AARN had revised its timeline to reflect a projected distribution date of February 2003. Stakeholders include regional health authorities, educational institutions and other health professions. Responses are expected six weeks after distribution.

Timeline for implementing HPA for RNs The HPA comes into force on a profession-by-profession basis as each profession's regulations are approved and its schedule under the act comes into effect. At that point, the profession's previous act or regulation will be repealed. The process described below is the same process followed by each of the 28 colleges, which regulate the 30 different health professions governed by HPA.

Previous topics discussed in Alberta RN Alberta RN introduced Get Into the Act as a regular column in December 2002 to keep you informed on the AARN's progress on regulation development. Each column provides additional details about the act and information to help you understand how HPA will affect your profession and practice.

The following columns appear in previous issues of Alberta RN:

Overview of the process to

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implement the act December 2002

A new name for the AARN and increase in public participation January 2003

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Copyright Alberta Association of Registered Nurses Feb 2003

Copyright Alberta Association of Registered Nurses Feb 2003
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