Alberta government increases practice scope of LPNs
Concerns include a need for more resources to coincide with added nurse workload
The government has announced that Alberta’s licensed practical nurses will have a broader scope of practise starting in February next year.
The more than 16,000 LPNs in Alberta will be able administer blood or blood products, dispense certain drugs based on the prescriber’s instructions, provide ultrasound for bedside nursing assessments, administer intravenous nutrition and administer medication by an invasive procedure such as a central venous line.
“Our government is committed to strengthening our health system, and one key way to do that is to allow licensed practical nurses and other health professionals to practise to the full extent of their competence and training,” said Tyler Shandro, minister of health.
LPNs in Alberta work in hospitals, community health centres, continuing care facilities, urgent care centres and home care.
The minister of health says the expanded role is in line with other provinces and takes into account current health system needs and the competency of LPNs. The LPN profession regulation has not been amended since coming into force in 2003.
“This is a great day for Albertans and for licensed practical nurses. Enhanced nursing care from an optimized LPN profession will increase quality, continuity and efficiency, and better serve Albertans,” said Valerie Paice, LPN and president of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta.
Friends of Medicare is pleased the government has expanded the scope of practise for LPNs and believes it could alleviate under-staffing issues.
“We are hopeful that given that LPNs will be using more of their competencies, they will also be afforded the resources and educational supports to ensure best patient outcomes,” said Sandra Azocar, executive director of FOM. “The current reality facing our LPNs is that they are constantly being asked to do more with less.”
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees has similar concerns.
“With this announcement, the UCP government is asking LPNs to do more with less. But these front-line workers are already stretched thin,” said Susan Slade, an LPN, and vice president of AUPE. “Increasing their workload without any firm promise to increase staffing levels or other resources is not good for workers or health-care delivery. Working conditions are patient conditions. If this government is going to ask workers to do more, the government must in turn invest more.”
Of the approximately 16,000 LPNs in Alberta about 9,000 are AUPE members.
Palliser Primary Care Network currently does not have any LPNs on its staff because typically the needs within a family medical practise are more complex, said Treena Klassen, executive director Palliser PCN.
“Once family practice nursing competencies are integrated into nursing education and training programs, we may see more LPNs working in the PCN,” said Klasssen.
Generally speaking, Klassen says, the average person is not aware of all the different levels of nursing and the role of each nurse.
“Nurses themselves are just starting to articulate how they all fit together with the Canadian Nurses Association opening up to all nurses in 2018; previously this was an RN (registered nurse) only organization,” said Klassen, who is also a board director for the Canadian Nurses Association.