Glossary

An unearned right, benefit, or advantage given to a person, not from work or merit but because of race, social position, religion, gender, or another social category. Unearned privilege tends to be systematically given to dominant social groups.

Non-invasive and invasive procedures to assess, restore, regain or maintain physiological stability of clients. Procedures are a set of actions that are the official or accepted way of doing something.

A nurse’s legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities to themselves, their clients, regulatory body, and employer. The nurse is answerable to themselves and others for their actions and must satisfy formal obligations to the law, their employer, professional codes of conduct, and their own moral principles.

Having the authority to make decisions and the freedom to act in accordance with one’s professional knowledge base.

Defining lines which separate the therapeutic behavior of a nurse from any behavior which, well intentioned or not, could reduce the benefit of nursing care to clients. They are the limits to the nurse-client relationship which allow for a safe and therapeutic connection between the nurse and the client. It is the nurse’s responsibility to establish and maintain professional boundaries, and to determine when actions or behaviors deviate from established boundaries and become non-therapeutic and unprofessional in nature.

Means a set of established professional norms and behaviors which extend beyond the workplace

Acts or omissions on the part of a nurse, in their professional practice, including the care of a patient, that demonstrate a lack of knowledge, skill or judgements, or disregard for the welfare of a client of a nature and to an extent as to render the member unfit or unsafe to practice nursing or to practice nursing without conditions, limitations or restrictions.

Digression from established or recognized professional conduct, standards or rules of practice of the profession.

Any situation in the workplace that has or could place clients at risk by interfering with the registered nurses’ ability to practise in accordance with the Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses, the Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, the Nurses Act or other legislation, workplace policies, procedures or other relevant standards and guidelines.

Is a demonstration of respect, confidence, integrity, optimism, compassion and empathy in accordance with professional standards, guidelines and codes of ethics. It includes a registrant’s verbal and non-verbal communication and the ability to articulate a positive and professional image, including the use of their name and professional designation.

Provincial and territorial bodies whom are responsible for the regulation of it’s registrants.

A relationship that exists with the client, outside of the episode of care, and with colleagues or the public in general.

A set of courses constituting the entire entry-level nursing education process at a college or university.

Refers to the four approval categories conferred by the CNNB Board of Directors to an entry-level nursing education program. The categories are based on the program’s results and score following their program approval review. The four categories are preliminary approval, approved, approved with conditions and not approved.

A climate of trust and respect in which people are comfortable working to their full scope of practice and potential and hold the belief that teammates and leadership will support, and not embarrass or punish, a colleague for speaking up in the line of work.

The good of society or the community, often called the common good.

A practice environment that has the organizational and human support allocations necessary for safe, competent and ethical nursing care.

A social construct that artificially divides people into distinct groups according to specific characteristics such as physical appearance (i.e. skin color), ancestral heritage, cultural affiliation, cultural history, ethnic classification, and the social, economic, and political needs of a society at a given time. Most sociologists believe that race is not “real” in the sense that no distinctive genetic or biophysiological characteristics exist that genuinely distinguish one group of people from another. Instead, different groups share overlapping characteristics.

Racism involves racial prejudice or discrimination and is rooted in the belief that one racial or ethnic group is superior to others. It can be expressed overtly or covertly and may occur intentionally or unintentionally. Racism includes the use of unearned power and privilege to suppress, exclude, devalue, or marginalize individuals or groups based on race. It operates at individual, institutional, and systemic levels, and is often embedded in social structures, policies, and practices— even when not consciously recognized.

The ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, including health care providers and institutions. It involves acknowledging past and present harms caused by colonialism, working to repair trust, and committing to systemic changes that promote equity, justice, and cultural safety in health care.

A perspective that recognizes recovery as a personal process that people with mental health conditions or addictions experience to gain control, meaning and purpose in their lives. Recovery involves different things for different people and is not the same as being cured. For some, recovery means the complete absence of the symptoms of mental health conditions or addiction. For many affected people, recovery constitutes living a satisfying, hopeful, and productive life with continued limitations caused by mental health conditions or addiction.

A consultation with another health care professional when client care needs are beyond the scope of practice for nurse practitioners or beyond their individual competence, and/or when client care would benefit from the expertise of another health care professional. Referral decisions are made in collaboration with the client.

An evaluative process of one’s knowledge, skills, experiences or events to identify areas for improvements. A commitment to engage in a process of continuous learning.

RNs are self-regulated health-care professionals who work autonomously and in collaboration with others to enable individuals, families, groups, communities and populations to achieve their optimal levels of health. At all stages of life, in situations of health, illness, injury and disability, RNs deliver direct health-care services, coordinate care and support clients in managing their own health. RNs contribute to the health-care system through their leadership across a wide range of settings in practice, education, administration, research and policy.

RPNs are self-regulated, autonomous professionals. They work collaboratively with clients and other health care team members to coordinate health care and provide client-centered services to individuals, families, groups and communities. RPNs focus on mental developmental health, mental illness and addictions while integrating physical health care and utilizing bio-psycho-social and spiritual models for a holistic approach to care. The practice of psychiatric nursing occurs within the domains of direct practice, education, administration and research.

The term regulated nurses is used to describe the 3 groups of regulated nursing professionals as a whole: RNs (including NPs), LPNs and RPNs.

An inquiry that is guided by conscious participation with clients using a number of relational skills including listening, questioning, empathy, mutuality, reciprocity, self-observation, reflection, and a sensitivity to emotional contexts. Relational practice encompasses therapeutic nurse-client relationships and relationships among health care providers.

A systematic inquiry using scientific methods to answer questions or solve problems. Conducting research involves formation of a question, design of the research project, implementation of the project and analysis and presentation of results. A nurse who assists in a research project by collecting information and data may be “participating” in research, but is not “conducting” research.

The level of “research skills” expected of entry-level RNs from BScN degrees are such things as literature searches related to practice and critical appraisal of search results (not necessarily actual research projects). All BScN programs expect students to have this skill.

This is an approach used by regulatory bodies in the disciplinary process. The concept of Right-touch regulation emerges from the application of the principles of good regulation identified by the Better Regulation Executive. The principles state that regulation should aim to be:

• Proportionate: regulators should only intervene when necessary. Remedies should be appropriate to the risk posed, and costs identified and minimised

• Consistent: rules and standards must be implemented fairly

• Targeted: regulation should be focused on the problem, and minimise side effects

• Transparent: regulators should be open, and keep regulations simple and user friendly

• Accountable: regulators must be able to justify decisions, and be subject to public scrutiny

• Agile: regulation must look forward and be able to adapt to anticipate change.