The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (CLPNBC) is the regulatory body responsible for regulating the profession of Licensed Practical Nursing in British Columbia. The CLPNBC's mandate, received through Legislation and Regulation under the Health Professions Act, is the protection of the public.

The CLPNBC achieves its mandate by setting the standards of academic and technical achievement for the profession through development of the Standards of Practice and Competencies, and the Code of Ethics for LPNs in B.C., and ensures that the public receives safe, competent, and ethical care from LPNs.

The Competency Profile document contains the competencies; knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes, an Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in British Columbia is expected to possess as an outcome of their nursing education in order to provide the public with safe, competent, and ethical care. These competencies serve as a guide to curriculum development and review, and inform the public and employers of what they may expect from Entry-Level LPNs.

The BC Entry-Level LPN Competency Profile document has been developed within the Scope of Practice for LPNs as prescribed under the Regulations for LPNs pursuant to the Health Professions Act and does not alter or expand the Legislated Scope of Practice for the profession.

Current Scope of Practice of Nursing by Licensed Practical Nurses

The scope of practice for nursing by LPNs is set out in the Nurses (Licensed Practical Act) Regulation under the HPA:

Scope of practice

4.

A registrant may provide such nursing services related to the care of patients as are consistent with his or her training and ability.

Limitations on practice

5.(1)

Except in an emergency, all nursing services provided by a registrant must be carried out under the direction of a medical practitioner who is attending the patient or under the supervision of a registered nurse who is providing services to the patient.

(2) Subject to section 4, a registrant may provide a nursing service for a patient in a private home provided that the attending medical practitioner gives directions.

(3) A registrant may not give nursing service to patients except in accordance with this section and section 4.

Development of the BC Entry-Level Competency Profile Document

Recognition that an as yet undeveloped document was required to outline and identify the competencies that LPNs in B.C. were prepared to perform at the point of entry into practice was raised by stakeholders during a meeting held at BC Women's Hospital in December 2003.

In December 2004, the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC) was approached by Alberta's Ministry of Health and Wellness to participate in a Health Canada funded project that would see development of a B.C. Entry-Level LPN Competency Profile document along with Saskatchewan and Manitoba, who would also develop their own documents.

In January 2005, three 2-day sessions were held with groups of seasoned LPNs from around the province of B.C. to validate entry-level LPN competencies and develop the B.C. Entry-Level Competency Profile Document. Sessions took place in Burnaby, Prince George, and Victoria, were attended by over 100 LPNs, and were facilitated by Dr. William Duperron from the Alberta Ministry of Health and Wellness- Health Workforce Planning Branch, and Ms. Rita MacGregor- Director of Practice and Policy for the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. 

Future of the B.C. Entry-Level Competency Profile Document

This Entry-Level Competency Profile document is meant to be a "living document" and it will evolve and change as nursing practice evolves and changes. The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia welcomes comments and suggestions so that the document can be continuously improved and refined.

Purpose of the B.C. Entry-Level Competency Profile Document

The purpose of this profile is to assist registrants by providing a foundation for the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia Continuing Competency Program and providing a reference for the LPN's individual ongoing assessment of competence.

Further to this, the profile also:

Assists educators by:

• Providing direction to post- secondary institutional programs regarding essential curriculum components and the review and recognition of those components

Assists the public by:

• Ensuring that LPNs provide safe, competent, and ethical care to members of the public in British Columbia

Assists employers by:

• Serving as a guideline for the development of competency assessment tools and methods, performance- management systems, and LPN role descriptions
• Providing baseline information and reference for long-term human resources planning for health care