Developing a pan-Canadian nursing regulation research agenda

Effective nursing regulation is vital for maintaining a competent, agile, and safe nursing workforce. Yet, the evidence available to inform nursing regulation within the Canadian context is largely descriptive and fragmented, with limited utility to support decision-making. While nursing regulators, which exist at the provincial and territorial levels, continue to engage in pan-Canadian policy initiatives, no coordinated research agenda exists to drive nursing regulatory science forward. To address this gap, we conducted a virtual deliberative dialogue with diverse system partners across Canada to co-create a pan-Canadian nursing regulation research agenda. Examples of research areas of interest identified by the participants include strategies for regulatory harmonization, evaluation of regulatory reforms, licensure policy development, improved regulatory data management, and regulatory approaches for new and emerging practices. Barriers to collaboration centered on jurisdictional differences in legislative frameworks and priorities, lack of resources and time, poor role clarity, and legislative barriers to data collection. Examples of facilitators include leveraging existing collaborative networks, addressing barriers to data sharing, and enhancing partnerships between regulators and researchers. Guided by the learning health system framework, we explore strategic opportunities to create a “learning regulatory system” by highlighting scientific, social, technological, policy, legal, and ethical considerations. Insights from our dialogue reinforce the need for intentional investment in collaborative infrastructure to support continuous improvement and innovation in nursing regulation.