Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing students across Ontario, Canada. Established in 1925, its core mission is to advocate for healthy public policy, promote excellence in nursing practice, and empower nurses to actively influence and shape decisions that affect both the profession and the public they serve. The association's headquarters are located in Toronto, Ontario.

RNAO provides a range of key services and programs, including the development and dissemination of Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) to inform and support evidence-based clinical practices within Ontario and internationally. The Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO) program further facilitates the implementation and evaluation of these guidelines in healthcare and academic settings. Additionally, RNAO offers its members benefits such as legal protection, educational events, access to nursing and health-care information, and networking opportunities. The association also operates RNCareers.ca, a dedicated career platform for nursing professionals.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Doris Grinspun and President NP Lhamo Dolkar (2025-2027), RNAO continues to be a prominent voice in Ontario's healthcare landscape. In April 2026, the association publicly opposed a plan to eliminate over 200 registered nurse positions at London Health Sciences Centre, emphasizing the critical role of RNs in patient care. During the same month, RNAO welcomed its largest-ever cohort to the Best Practice Spotlight Organization program. The association also released a new best practice guideline on Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Nursing in March 2026 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, representing over 57,250 members.