Nursing Advocacy In Action: Stepping Up & Stepping In

Advocacy, collaboration, problem-solving and ensuring safe practice for all are fundamental requirements for registered nurses and Nurse Practitioners in Saskatchewan. 

Whether looking from the perspective of the regulator, employer, or professional, SUN members must be ‘Stepping Up and Stepping In’ to address professional practice, workload, and insufficient staffing for safe, competent, ethical, and appropriate healthcare services in your workplaces when concerns arise.

SUN is committed to advocating for and advancing professional practice and workload concerns identified by SUN members.  This cannot happen without SUN members engaging in communicating and documenting concerns when they occur.

What Members Need to Do:

• Know and apply your professional practice obligations, requirements, and expectations set by the regulatory body and Employer.

• Assess your professional practice and workplace for issues that don’t allow you to fulfill your regulatory or organizational requirements, and keep patients/residents/clients safe.

• WSRs should be submitted as soon as reasonably possible after using low-level resolution and engaging with your Manager/designate. 

  • SUN Link - Work Situation Report

  • Joint Nursing Advisory (NAC) Process

  • WSR/NAC Learning Modules & Resources

  • Consult with SUN colleagues, Local President, and NAC Chairperson

• When in doubt, consult when navigating actual or potential professional practice, workload, and staffing concerns:

  • Consult with Colleagues, Managers/designates, Local President, and/or NAC Chairperson.

• Collaborate with your colleagues, Manager, and your Local when concerns arise to find positive outcomes and solutions through your direct involvement.

• Be open, objective, transparent, and professional to foster ownership and mutual commitment.

• If you have concerns about retaliation or reprisal when you raise concerns in professional practice:

  • WSR Concerns:  Review Article 56.06 (SUN/SAHO CBA)

  • Immediately contact your Local President and Labour Relations Officer (LRO) for assistance.

Whom to Contact

Local President/NAC Chairperson: Your Local President and NAC Chairperson are experts on your collective agreement and professional practice work environment.

Regulatory Body: Your regulatory body (CRNS/CRPNS) is the regulatory expert mandated to protect the public. They can help interpret and apply minimum requirements and best practices in registered nursing practice.

Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS): Your regulatory body provides you with professional liability insurance through the Canadian Nurses Protective Society. You can obtain confidential legal advice, review their publications on topics impacting professional practice, and complete continuing education through their monthly webinars.

Nurse Practice Officer: Your NPO at SUN Provincial is your professional practice consultant assigned to Locals for support, advice, and assistance.

Servicing assignments can be found on the SUN website, or you can contact the SUN Provincial offices at: