Prince Edward Island (PEI) merges nursing and midwifery by bringing all nurses and midwives in the province under one regulatory body. The new Prince Edward Island College of Nursing and Midwifery combines the previously separate colleges for licensed practical nurses and for registered nurses and midwives, aiming to streamline oversight, share resources, and strengthen support for healthcare professionals across the island. The merger also creates a single point of contact for public concerns about professional standards and practice.
Melissa Panton, the college’s first CEO and registrar, said the move reflects years of collaboration between the two former colleges. “We work together within the healthcare system, so many challenges and trends we see in practice are shared across professions,” Panton said. “Uniting under a single college allows us to better address these system-wide issues, provide stronger support for practitioners, and ensure standards are consistent across all designations.”
The creation of the new college was facilitated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, which provides a framework for regulating multiple healthcare professions under one umbrella. While the transition was largely administrative, the college has already started addressing key priorities, including expanding midwifery practice, supporting nurse practitioners with prescribing authority, and managing workforce gaps, such as transitions for internationally educated nurses moving into RN roles.
this will not only to improve operational efficiency but also to ensure that practitioners have access to guidance and resources needed to meet professional standards. By uniting oversight, the college aims to support the evolving healthcare system, address workforce challenges, and enhance patient care across the province. Early feedback indicates the transition has been smooth, allowing staff and the public to access support without disruption.
