CNO’s Statement

Nurses practicing in Foot & Lower Limb Care in Ontario, Canada

“Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) (collectively referred to as “Nurses”) are regulated health care professionals who provide foot care in a variety of care settings, long term care homes, hospitals, CCDC’s, FHTs, physician offices, and in the community in patients home or in private health clinics. Nurses assess patients, provide preventative care and educate and refer patients to other practitioners where necessary. Nurses also provide non-invasive foot care services, such as clipping nails, paring calluses and corns, debriding morbid tissue, treating ulcers, providing wound care, monitoring conditions of the foot, prescribing and dispensing orthotics, and wrapping and bandaging the feet.”

(College of Nurses of Ontario 2014). HPRAC, stakeholder Feedback on the Chiropody/Podiatry Referral: The current Model of Foot Care in Ontario. Part II(b); Other submissions, 54.

“Nurses are accountable for maintaining and continually improving their competence. Continuing competence ensures nurses’ performance ability is advancing in a changing health care environment and contributes to quality nursing practice and public safety”. This applies to the practice of Nursing Foot & Lower Limb Care. This accountability is outlined in CNO’s document Professional Standards – 2022. Further information regarding the specialty area of Advanced competencies for Podortho® Nurses can be found in the Podortho® Nurse Core Competencies document.