P.E.I. nurses and midwives now regulated by a single college

Two separate regulatory colleges have merged to form the P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery, bringing LPNs, RNs, nurse practitioners, registered psychiatric nurses and midwives under one regulator. Melissa Panton is the new college's first CEO and registrar.

Two regulatory colleges in Prince Edward Island have merged to form the P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery. Until the merger, licensed practical nurses were regulated by one college while registered nurses and midwives were regulated by another. The new college brings LPNs, midwives, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses under a single regulator. Melissa Panton is the college's first CEO and registrar and said the move follows years of close cooperation under the Regulated Health Professions Act. Key facts: - The two former colleges have merged into the P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery. - The new college now regulates licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered psychiatric nurses and midwives. - Melissa Panton is the college's first CEO and registrar. - The college will handle standards of practice and questions about whether a nurse or midwife has fallen below those standards. - Early priorities include expanding the scope of practice for midwives and working with the provincial Department of Health and Wellness on transitions involving internationally educated registered nurses. Summary: The merger is intended to let the professions share resources and address common challenges across practice settings. The college has identified expanding midwifery scope and addressing workforce gaps tied to internationally educated nurses and role transitions as early priorities.