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Alberta Health Services reaffirms commitment to hire as many LPNs as possible
In a letter to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), Senior Vice President Deb Gordon clarified today that Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) strategy to increased effort to hire more full-time nurses definitely includes Licensed Practical Nurses:
“We are committed to all types of nursing care providers, including Licensed Practical Nurses, and we want more nurses working full-time and to full scope of practice.”
Gordon’s statement is in contrast to a November 1, 2012 article in the Globe and Mail (“Alberta pushes for more registered full-time nurses, plans to hire all graduates“) which indicates the future hiring direction of AHS was centered on registered nurses and did not include licensed practical nurses.
“We appreciate the clarification,” stated CLPNA Executive Director Linda Stanger. “It’s important to our members and quality care delivery that the largest employer of LPNs in the province is committed to utilizing the skills of all available nurses.”
Deb Gordon’s complete letter to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta is reprinted below:
November 2, 2012
Linda Stanger
Executive Director/Registrar
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
13163 146 St
Edmonton AB T5L 4S8Dear Linda,
Alberta Health Services is ramping up efforts to hire more full-time nurses, including new graduates. This is part of our work to ensure the right care providers are in the right place at the right time to provide safe and quality patient care for Albertans today and in the future.
We are committed to all types of nursing care providers, including Licensed Practical Nurses, and we want more nurses working full-time and to full scope of practice. More full-time nurses means patients and families will be able to see the same nurses more regularly, allowing patients to really get to know their care team and feel more comfortable expressing their care needs and preferences.
There will always be part-time positions in the system for nurses. What we’re trying to do, because it’s best for the patient, is create more full-time positions and promote continuity of care. We need everyone, including Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Health Care Aides, Nursing Attendants and Nurse Practitioners.
Simply put, at AHS, we want to hire every nurse we can and we want to provide full-time jobs. We want to hire new graduates, nurses looking to work in Alberta, all qualified and caring nurses, and support them in caring for patients and families.
We want to work with our staff, unions, professional associations and other partners, and other partners to ensure quality of care for Albertans.
Linda, thanks for CLPNA’s ongoing partnership with AHS.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Deb Gordon
Senior Vice President, Health Professions Strategy & Practice
Chief Nursing and Health Professions Officer
Alberta Health Services
I’m glad that they’ve clarified that they are wanting to hire LPN’s as well. I was reading an article in the Edmonton Journal and all they mentioned was Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses. It was a little disheartening that after all this time we are still not being recognized as nurses. A lot of times we are expected to do the same jobs as the RN or RPN and yet we are still not recognized by others as being a nurse. I am proud to be an LPN and it would be nice to know that we are acknowledged an important member of the health care system and nursing team. We certainly don’t make as much as RN’s or RPN’s and to that it is too bad because we are losing LPN’s as it is just getting harder in this economy to do what we are doing for the pay that we get. I know a lot of people that are proud to be an LPN but for financial stability and security they are seeking to change their designation. However, they will never lose sight of where they came from as a hard working LPN. I am currently on mat leave and when I go back to work in May I am hoping that AHS was true to their word and that there will be a lot more jobs out there to chose from. It has been hard to even find full time employment within AHS, so this is a step in the right direction and I look forward to plenty of opportunities in the future.