Nursing: Associations & Organizations

The Canadian Nursing Students' Association (CNSA) is the national voice of Canadian nursing students. Our goal is to increase the legal, ethical, professional, and educational aspects which are an integral part of nursing. CNSA is actively dedicated to the positive promotion of nurses and the nursing profession as a whole.

CNA is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. It speaks for Canadian registered nurses and represents Canadian nursing to other organizations and governments. One of its roles is to provide the exam by which all registered nurses, except in Quebec, are tested to ensure they meet an acceptable level of competence before beginning practice.

A web resource available to all nurses and nursing students who are part of the Canadian Nurses Association. You will need to register with them but you will then have access to many valuable resources including professional and clinical resources, an e-Library, StatREF, and others

VON is a national registered charity that addresses the health needs of people in Canada through services provided by nurses, other health professionals, support service workers and volunteers. Links to local chapters are provided in the website.

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is a proactive union committed to improving the economic welfare and quality of work-life for our members, to enable them to provide high-quality health care.

The CNO is the regulatory body for nurses in the province. It protects the public's right to quality nursing services by providing leadership to the nursing profession in self-regulation.

RNAO is the professional association representing registered nurses wherever they practise in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has lobbied for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses¿ contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.

GNAO provides members with local, provincial and national opportunities for dialogue and networking amongst nurses who care for older people across all healthcare sectors. Through 11 active chapters across the province of Ontario, GNAO offers evidence-informed education, leadership in political advocacy and professional practice development.

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing/Association canadienne des écoles de sciences infirmières is the national voice for nursing education, research, and scholarship and represents baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in Canada.

The College of Nurses of Ontario have compiled a collection of links to nursing pages in the Ontario Government web pages. Here you will also find links to nursing associations, interest groups, regulatory bodies, etc.

Operated by nurses and leading nurses internationally, ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.

FNF is a registered Charity in the United Kingdom and maintains its original purpose; to support the advancement of nursing education, research and services for the public good. Though UK registered, the day-to-day administration is carried out in Geneva through the International Council of Nurses, a federation of 130 national nurses' associations working to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency that falls under the United Nations system. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, and as the health organization of the Inter-American System.

Sigma Theta Tau International is an international honor society and is the second largest nursing organization in the world. It is dedicated to excellence in practice, with members active in more than 90 countries and territories. It provides funding for nursing research, mentoring programs for leadership, and support for the improvement of health care.

The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health established in 1948. WHO's objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health i.e. a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.