RESULTS FROM SCOTTISH RESEARCH REPORT
(February 17, 2010) - Results were released from a Scottish Research Project which consulted Alberta LPNs, practical nurse students, educators, and CLPNA, “to investigate the Canadian Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) educational preparation, work and role profile in Alberta, Canada with a view to influence the evolution of the Assistant Practitioner role in Scottish Healthcare”.

Abstract: "Demographic changes in Scotland are driving health care providers to re – think how healthcare can be provided in the future. New roles such as the Assistant Practitioner are emerging. This qualitative study used, constructivist methodologies to consider if lessons could be learned from the Albertan, Canadian Licensed Practical Nurse model in terms of educational preparation, roles in practice, and regulation.
Many lessons could be learned from this model. Both from positive and negative lived experiences however if it was to be transferable to Scottish healthcare, it would need to be led by statutory regulation of this new group of healthcare staff to ensure public protection is upper most at all times."

Report: "Lessons Learned from the Canadian Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Model" (PDF)
Presentation: "Lessons Learned from the Canadian Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Model" (6MB, PDF)

 

ON RADIO: CBC MORNING RADIO
The role of Alberta LPNs are examined on CBC Radio One's morning programming. Ruth Wold, LPN and former CLPNA President, is shadowed at Three Hills Hospital, and Linda Stanger, CLPNA Executive Director, is interviewed:

Alberta Checkup
Oct. 7: Looking for savings in the nursing world: Alberta Health Services is looking to change how nursing care is delivered in the province. Listen to a report as part of our week-long series, Alberta Checkup: Assessing the state of health care. (Presented on Calgary's Eyeopener on Oct. 5, and on Edmonton AM on Oct. 7.)

Listen to the program...
Read the accompanying CBC news article...

IN THE NEWS: RESPONDING TO PROVINCIAL NURSING CHANGES
CLPNA shared their views regarding Alberta Health Services CEO Dr. Stephen Duckett's call for more Licensed Practical Nurses and fewer Registered Nurses on ACCESS Televison's Alberta Primetime on Thursday, October 1 with guests Linda Stanger, Executive Director of CLPNA, and Diane Dyer, President-elect of the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA).
Watch the interview on Alberta Primetime...

 

630 CHED TALKS TO THE LPN EXPERTS
Hear Lesley Primeau interview CLPNA Executive Director Linda Stanger and Director of Professional Practice Teresa Bateman on Edmonton radio station 630 CHED's TALK TO THE EXPERTS, Saturday, May 16, 12:00PM - 1:00PM.
Click here to listen to the complete audio broadcast

H1N1 VIRUS (AKA HUMAN SWINE INFLUENZA) ESSENTIALS
June 11, 2009 - The World Health Organization is declaring the world's first flu pandemic in four decades, after learning that H1N1 infections are continuing to spread, including in Canada. (read more at CTV.ca)

Guidelines regarding screening for influenza-like illness were released by Dr. Andre Corriveau, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health and Wellness. The document outlines recommendations for regarding Infection Prevention and Control Strategies, Screening for Influenza-Like Illness, Reporting, Laboratory Testing, and Clinical Management:
Alberta Guidelines for H1N1 VIrus (April 28, 2009)

For additional information on H1N1 Virus: 
updated FightFlu.ca
Alberta Health & Wellness
Public Health Agency of Canada
World Health Organization (WHO)

As professional nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses have a duty to provide care during periods of communicable disease outbreak or pandemic. The following documents are points of reference to further guide LPNs in decision-making during this time:
Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
Professionalism Competencies from the Licensed Practical Nurse Competency Profile
Practice Statement – Fitness to Practice
Practice Statement – Abandonment of Care
Infection Prevention & Control Guidelines for LPNs

 

"Abandonment of Care" Practice Statement Released
CLPNA Council approved a new Practice Statement, Abandonment of Care. This Practice Statement provides guidance for LPNs about their Duty to Care related to both their professional rights as an individual and obligations as a nurse, as defined by the CLPNA Standards of Practice.

With the shortage of health human resources, health teams struggle with providing appropriate care to patients. The CLPNA often hears from LPNs pushed to their limit in relation to overtime, demand shifts, and staffing levels impacted by the shortage. We also managed conduct issues related to abandonment of care.

The CLPNA develops Practice Statements relevant to the Practical Nursing Profession to provide clarity to LPNs and employers, and the public. View all Practice Statements on the “Resources” webpage.

 

CLPNA Launches Employer E-Newsletter: ReguLink
Creating a link between employers and the CLPNA, the ReguLink e-newsletter was launched on November 1, 2008.

ReguLink provides updates on the regulation of LPNs in Alberta to employers and managers, and to show how the College of LPNs of Alberta does so much more than register nurses. The services provided by CLPNA include scope of practice information, practice consultation, job advertising, conference and event promotion, verification of registration, education grants, and professional misconduct resolution.

Employersand managers to sign up for the ReguLink newsletter at www.CLPNA.com by selecting the “Sign up for ReguLink Newsletter” banner. Please share this sign up information with your colleagues.

The CLPNA also provides in-depth information to managers and employers through it’s quarterly magazine, CARE (formerly News & Views), the website (www.CLPNA.com), our Practice Consultants and direct mailers.∞