What is the role of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)?

The role of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is primarily focused on regulating the nursing profession and protecting the public. This includes establishing and maintaining standards for nursing practice, ensuring that nurses are qualified and competent, and managing the registration of nurses in Ontario. By overseeing these aspects, the CNO ensures that the public receives safe and effective nursing care.

The role of regulation is critical in maintaining trust between the public and the nursing profession. The CNO is responsible for investigating complaints against nurses, taking disciplinary action if necessary, and providing guidelines to help nurses adhere to ethical and professional standards in their practice. This central regulatory function underscores the accountability of nurses and their obligation to provide high-quality care to patients.

Focusing on other roles, while the development of nursing education programs and conducting nursing research are important for advancing the profession, they do not fall under the direct mandate of the CNO. Additionally, managing hospital staffing is a function typically handled at the organizational or administrative level rather than by the regulatory college. Thus, the correct choice highlights the CNO's commitment to the public's health and safety in Ontario through its regulatory functions.