The College shall regulate the practice of nursing, the practice of psychiatric nursing and the nursing profession in the public interest. The College is responsible for approving nursing education programs, licensing registrants, and establishing and enforcing standards for nursing and psychiatric nursing practice. It promotes high standards of care, continuing competence, quality improvement, and professional conduct, while managing complaints and discipline processes. The College also maintains quality assurance programs and protects the public interest in all matters related to nursing and psychiatric nursing practice.
The composition of the College’s Board shall reflect the cultural, ethnic, and regional diversity of the province.
The College’s Board shall consist of:
• nine members elected from and by registrants in accordance with the by-laws;
• two members appointed by the Minister of Health and Community Services who are not registrants and who are suitable to represent the public interest;
• one member selected appointed by the Minister of Health and Community Services from a list of nominees, submitted by the Board, who are knowledgeable in education programs for licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses or nurse practitioners; and
• two members appointed by the Board who are not registrants who are suitable to represent the public interest.
Diversity in the backgrounds, skills and experience of appointed Board members can enhance the effectiveness of a Board by bringing a wider range of perspectives and knowledge. Examples include:
• Commitment to public protection and the public interest
• Ability to provide a diverse and open-minded perspective which complements the Board’s composition
• Ability to promote the College’s objectives and uphold the College’s shared values
• Strategic Thinking: the ability to add value to the College’s processes for setting future plans and actions
• Leadership: the ability to foster diversity and respectfulness, to promote collaboration and open communication, to empower others, and to be a team builder
• Familiarity with the principles of good governance, including accountability, transparency, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and ethical conduct
• Knowledge of professional regulation, the Nurses Act, and the role of the College
• Ability to review, analyze, interpret, and evaluate complex information
• Ability to exercise critical thinking and sound judgement in decision making
• Backgrounds: law enforcement, health care, information technology, public relations, public sector administration, governance, human resources, financial expertise, legal expertise
The following attributes are important considerations in selecting members:
• Previous board or other governance experience
• High ethical standards and integrity
• Understanding and respect for confidentiality requirements
• Professional or other experience which requires critical thinking, sound judgement and effective decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to review, analyze, interpret and evaluate complex information
• Flexibility, responsiveness, and openness to diverse perspectives
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and cultural safety
• Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively with others
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• No direct or indirect conflicts of interest
• Technological competency: ability to fully participate in meetings that may be conducted virtually
Board members must be available for three in-person meetings per year. One in-person meeting is for two days while the other two in-person meetings are for one day only, with all meetings held during regular business hours. Two-hour virtual meetings are scheduled, as placeholders on an as needed basis, in months that an in-person meeting is not planned. Meeting dates are scheduled one year in advance. Board members are also called upon to
serve from time to time on the Complaints Authorization Committee and other College committees.
A person appointed under this section shall hold office for a term of three years and is eligible to be re-appointed. Where a person appointed under this section holds office for a period of nine consecutive years, the person is not eligible for appointment as a member until the expiration of 12 months from the end of the year in which the person was last a Board member. Where the term of office of a person appointed under this section expires,
the person continues to be a member of the Board until re-appointed or replaced.
