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PRACTICE AND POLICY DOCUMENTS
COMPETENCY PROFILE FOR LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES
Competency documents outline the knowledge, skills, judgments and attributes required of an LPN at entry into the profession to practice safely, competently and ethically in a designated role or setting.
More at Competency Profile for LPNs.
- UPDATED Competency Profile for Licensed Practical Nurses, 3rd Edition (2015) (PDF, 274 pages, 7MB) (updated January 31, 2017) (effective June 2, 2015)
- Entry to Practice Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses (effective June 3, 2013)
The following updates have been made to the Competency Profile for LPNs, 3rd Edition (2015):
Archive Documents
- Competency Profile for LPNs – 2nd Edition (2005) (349 pages)
CONTINUING COMPETENCY PROGRAM
The Continuing Competency Program (CCP) is a formal system mandated by the Health Professions Act (HPA) of assessing, monitoring, and reporting on the knowledge, skills, attitudes and critical judgments of a professional health care provider.
There are several new and updated documents to support Licensed Practical Nurses in understanding and applying the principles of CCP:
- Guide to Continuing Competency Program (PDF) – A step-by-step CCP instruction guide.
- Reflection Tool (PDF) (Word)– A question based tool to guide self-reflection.
- Self-Assessment Tool (PDF) (Word)– A systematic template to self-assess competence using the Standards of Practice.
- Learning Plan (PDF) (Word)– An outline of how you will manage identified learning needs you have chosen through reflection and/or self-assessment.
- Tracking Tool (PDF) (Word)– Tools to evaluate what you learned and how you completed this learning.
PRACTICE POLICIES
Practice Policies outlines the expectations and conditions for a nurse to be considered eligible for entry into the profession, for registration, and to legally practice nursing in Alberta.
SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS
INTERPRETIVE DOCUMENTS
Interpretive Documents promote clarity and understanding of legislation, regulation by-laws, and legalities that govern nursing.
- NEW Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Guidelines for Nurses in Alberta (posted March 2017)
- Interpretive Document: Duty to Report (revised September 2015)
- Interpretive Document: Fitness to Practice and Incapacity (revised September 2015)
- Understanding LPN Practice & Restricted Activity Authorizations (posted May 2007)
Practice Statements
- 1. Professional Responsibility & Accountability
- 2. Temporary Registration
- 3. Accepting, Transcribing & Processing Physicians’ Orders
- 4. Actively Engaged in Practice
- 6. Therapeutic Nurse – Client Relationship
- 7. Specialized Practice
- 9. Confidentiality
- 10. Documentation
- 11. Footcare
- 12. Preceptor Role
- 13. Abandonment of Care
- 14. Pandemic Preparedness
PRACTICE GUIDELINE
Practice Guidelines are based on the best available evidence designed to assist healthcare professionals with decisions about appropriate practices for specific clinical situations.
- Practice Guideline: LPN Role in Bringing a Personal Directive into Effect (posted May 2017)
- Practice Guideline: Professionalism on Social Media (posted March 2017)
- Practice Guideline: Independent Practice (posted November 2016)
- Practice Guideline: Addressing Co-Worker Abuse in the Workplace (posted November 2013)
- Practice Guideline: Preventing Nurse-To-Client Transmission Of Blood Borne Virus And Other Communicable Diseases
- Decision-Making Standards for Nurses in the Supervision of Health Care Aides (updated June 2010)
FACT SHEET
Fact Sheets inform on topics relevant to workplace issues and nursing practice.
- Fact Sheet: Naloxone and the Role of the Licensed Practical Nurse in Alberta (May 2017)
- Fact Sheet: Cannabis for Medical Purposes (posted November 2016)
- Fact Sheet: Authorization for Bladder Scanning with Supervision (posted August 2014)
- Fact Sheet: Co-worker Abuse is a Threat to Patient Safety (posted November 2013)
- Fact Sheet: Did You Know: Abuse is a Learned Behaviour in Nursing (posted November 2013)
- Scope of Practice for LPNs in Alberta (posted July 2013)
- Highlighting LPN Practice
- CLPNA and AUPE: There is a Difference
DISCUSSION PAPER
Discussion Papers analyze an issue in nursing or healthcare with the aim to inform future directions, next steps or political action.
POSITION STATEMENT
Position Statements highlight the regulatory organization’s interpretation, stand or view on a particular nursing or healthcare issue and guides nursing behaviour.
- Joint Statement on Family Violence
- LPN Role in Triage: Specific Settings (Approved by Council – December 11, 2009. Revised March 4, 2010)
WHITE PAPER
White Papers explain research on a specific issue and proposes, or lays out, a plan of action.
- White Paper: Mental Injury in the Healthcare Workplace (posted November 2013)
RESOURCES
Resources link to relevant websites and best evidence articles that strengthen nursing knowledge and evidence-informed practice.
Research
- Understanding Licensed Practical Nurses’ Full Scope of Practice Research Study (or read via Issuu.com) (February 2013) (College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta & Bow Valley College. Authors: Rena Shimoni, PhD; Gail Barrington, PhD)
- Staff Mix Decision-making Framework for Quality Nursing Care (March 2012) (Canadian Nurses Association, Canadian Council of Practical Nurse Regulators, Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada)
- Knowledge and Education Project (KEP) – Executive Summary (February 2010)
- Knowledge and Education Project (KEP) – Report (February 2010)
- Nursing Team Dynamics: Communication, Culture, Collaboration by Teresa Bateman, LPN, MA
- Enhancing Nursing Role Effectiveness Through Job Redesign (January 2009)
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) (Alberta Health)
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Publications (Alberta Health)
- Infection Prevention and Control Best Practice Guideline for Foot Care Devices (Alberta Health Services, 2013)
- Reprocessing Foot Care Devices (Alberta Health Services, 2012)
- Clean your hands – prevent the spread of infection (Alberta Health)
