PRACTICE GUIDELINE: Independent Practice for the LPN

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta applauds the growing number of entrepreneurial LPNs in our membership. As a regulated health professional, the LPN must take care to support their business with the nursing and legal policies and procedures necessary to protect the public. To support these entrepreneurs, the CLPNA created a new Practice Guideline “Independent Practice for the Licensed Practical Nurse”.

Download Practice Guideline

Questions addressed in the guideline include:

• What is independent LPN practice?
• What are the additional professional, legal and ethical accountabilities and responsibilities of LPNs in independent practice?

The guideline also highlights important questions the LPN should ask themselves as they set up their independent practice, such as whether the LPN:

• Has the competency to start and operate a nursing practice business;
• Has the expertise and skill to provide services safely and competently as an LPN in independent practice including the appropriate credentials/specialty certifications as applicable and a sufficient knowledge base of the specific nursing practice;
• Is able to recognize when a referral is required for a client when their care needs exceed their scope of practice;
• Has established appropriate legal, nursing, and business policies and procedures to support their independent practice;
• Can carry out the legal obligations related to protecting health information;
• Has developed a marketing strategy and advertises within legal and ethical parameters;
• Can ensure the business will be adequately financed;
• Has to obtained independent business and legal advice; and
• Has purchased commercial and professional liability insurance.

RELATED – Supportive Documents about LPN practice

Questions? Contact CLPNA’s Practice Consultants at practice@clpna.com, 780-484-8886 or 1-800-661-5877 (toll free in Alberta).