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ADVANCED AUTHORIZATION EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW

Advanced Practice Education Programs prepare Alberta’s licensed practical nurses to meet the Licensed Practical Nurses Profession Regulation’s (Alta Reg 81/2003) requirements for Advanced Practice, as well as to meet the CLPNA’s Standards of Practice for Performing Restricted Activities and Advanced Practice (2020), and post-entry-level training and advanced practice competencies outlined in the Competency Profile for Licensed Practical Nurses.

RELATED – Approved Advanced Authorization Education Programs

RELATED – Restricted Activities and Advanced Authorizations

 

For post-secondary institutions (PSIs) offering an advanced practice education program, it’s important to understand the relationship between the legislation, the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), and the PSI. The CLPNA’s Council delegates the review of all of Alberta’s practical nurse education programs to the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC). Following the program review, ESAC prepares a report with recommendations for Council. Council reviews the report and determines approval status. Education programs are reviewed in order to:

  • Fulfill the CLPNA’s legislative duty under the Health Professions Act to approve all practical nurse education programs.
  • Promote the safe practice of nursing through a standardized nursing education approval process and the use of comprehensive education standards.
  • Provide stakeholders with a transparent account of program approval, and,
  • Support continuous evaluation and improvement of nursing education programs.

ADVANCED PRACTICE EDUCATION PROGRAM APPROVAL STANDARDS

The CLPNA’s Council approves education standards for Advanced Practice programs. These standards provide a benchmark for program quality, are used to measure program performance, and determine a program’s ability to graduate practical nurses with the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform in advanced practice settings. Advanced Practice Education Program Standards are revised as necessary to ensure currency and relevancy and undergo a comprehensive review every four years.

CLPNA POLICIES

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) establishes policies to administer the review and approval of all Practical Nurse programs in Alberta. The CLPNA’s Council delegates program review to the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) who then makes recommendations to Council for approval decisions.

CLPNA Operational Policy

The CLPNA has developed an operational policy to facilitate the review of all practical nurse education programs.

ESTABLISHING A NEW ADVANCED PRACTICE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Any post-secondary institution (PSI) wishing to offer a new advanced practice program should refer to the policies and guidelines for establishing a new practical nurse program.

PROGRAM REVIEW, DOCUMENTS AND TEMPLATES

Approved Advanced Practice Programs and educational institutions applying to the CLPNA to establish a new Advanced Practice program undergo a program review by the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC). This comprehensive review is completed by measuring program performance against the Advanced Practice Approval Standards.

Programs complete a comprehensive self-study using the directions provided in the Data Collection Guidelines Template. These documents are submitted to ESAC for evaluation prior to a scheduled site visit.

ADVANCED PRACTICE PROGRAM GUIDE

The Guide provides support to programs undergoing program approval, re-approval and annual reporting requirements.

REQUIRED NOTICE OF CHANGE DOCUMENTS

Approved Advanced Practice Education Programs are required to notify ESAC of any substantial changes within their program. Please refer to the Notice of Change Form and information contained in the Advanced Practice Program Education Standards Guide.

ANNUAL PROGRAM REVIEW DOCUMENTS

Advanced Practice Education programs are responsible to show continued compliance with program approval standards and progress toward compliance in areas that were deficient at the time of their full program review.

The annual reporting requirement includes submission of the following document:

Additionally, approved advanced practice education programs will be provided with an annual review template with recommendations and reporting requirements.

 

Questions?

For more information, please contact:

Email the Education Department 

Ask CLPNA or call 1-800-661-5877 (toll-free in Alberta), or 780-484-8886.