The College of Registered Nurses and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses are merging into a single regulatory body – the NL College of Nurses.

It’s being called a “historic unification,” which will result in the largest healthcare regulator in the province representing over 10,000 nurses including NPs, RNs, LPNs, and registered psychiatric nurses.

The two groups say the decision to merge follows years of consultation, with the goals being to strengthen nursing regulation, improve efficiency, and enhance public protections.

The formation of the NL College of Nurses will be effective as of April 15th of next year. All regulatory functions will be unaltered during the transition.