1. Registered Nurses
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Registered Nurse in the Extended Class (RN(EC))
2. Registered Practical Nurses
• Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)

The College of Nurses has developed one Scope of Practice Statement for all nurses :

"The practice of nursing is the promotion of health and the assessment of, the provision of, care for, and the treatment of, health conditions by supportive, preventative, therapeutic, palliative and rehabilitative means in order to attain or maintain optimal function." (CNO, 2004)

Nursing is one profession with two categories of registration, Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). Both categories of registration can use the title nurse. According to the College of Nurses of Ontario classifications, most nurses belong to the General Class. The main exception to this would be RNs in the Extended Class who have expanded knowledge and are commonly known as "Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners".

RNs and RPNs study from the same body of nursing knowledge. RNs study for a longer period of time, allowing for greater depth and breadth of foundational knowledge in the areas of clinical practice, decision making, critical thinking, leadership, research utilization and resource management. RPNs study for a shorter period of time, resulting in a more focused body of foundational knowledge in the areas identified above.

When scope of practice is described for an RN in comparison to an RPN, it is generally in relation to the needs of patients, clients or residents they are caring for rather than the tasks being performed.

The complexity of a person's condition influences the nursing knowledge required to provide quality care. The more complex the situation, and the more dynamic the environment, the greater the need for the RN to provide the full range of care requirements. (CNO, 2004)

An RN(EC) is an RN who obtains advanced education in the provision of primary health care. RN(EC)s have an expanded scope of practice which allows them to do some of the activities traditionally limited to physicians. Specifically they may order diagnostic tests, such as x-rays and blood work, and prescribe medications. However, RN(EC) practice is based on their in-depth and advanced nursing knowledge and skills to meet the primary health care needs of their patients. RNs must pass an additional exam and practice review to become an RN(EC).

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