Critical care nursing is a specialty which cares for vulnerable patients experiencing, or at risk of, life-threatening health crises. The purpose of the Canadian Standards for Critical Care Nursing Practice is to set expectations for critical care nurses nationally. The standards are achievable expectations regarding critical care nursing practice. While these standards include such expectations, registered nurses in Canada are accountable to their provincial regulatory body and respective scope of practice. These standards are composed with the assumption that the minimum level of licensure required to practice in critical care is that of the registered nurse.
The 6th edition of the CACCN Standards for Critical Care Nursing Practice was completed in November 2024. The standards revision was completed using a modified Delphi protocol, led by Dr. Brandi Vanderspank-Wright, PhD, RN, CCNC(C), CACCN President and Sarah Crowe, MN, PMD-NP(F), NP, CNCC(C), CACCN Past President.
The 6th edition is available in electronic format only.
View/Download: Standards for Critical Care Nursing Practice (6th Edition 2024)
For information on the revision process: Revising the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses Standards for Critical Care Nursing Practice: A Modified Delphi Protocol
Copyright Notification: The CACCN Standards for Critical Care Nursing Practice is protected by copyright. Personal use of the information is acceptable. Commercial use is prohibited without the express written permission of CACCN. Please contact National Office at caccn@caccn.ca, providing your name, contact telephone, contact email, and the purpose for redistribution of the materials. CACCN will review the request and provide a written response.