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Historically, the CLPNA provided the Alberta LPN Competency Profile to support understanding of LPN scope of practice. This document contained examples of activities that LPNs may perform in their role and behaviours that they may demonstrate. However, the Competency Profile was not an all-inclusive list of activities that LPNs may perform, and using specific examples did not promote flexibility in practice and in some cases created confusion. In addition, with rapidly changing technologies and an evolving healthcare system, lists are difficult to keep updated.

A list cannot capture the full complexity of a nursing role. In determining their scope of practice, LPNs need to use critical thinking and consider how their scope of practice is defined by legislation and regulation as well as their role in the practice setting. They are expected to use their professional judgment to determine the activities that they have the knowledge, skills, and competence to perform.

Note that the majority of nursing regulators in Canada do not use a competency profile.

LPN scope of practice is complex, and it can be difficult to know where to start. The CLPNA has developed resources to support LPNs and other stakeholders in understanding scope of practice and finding out if a specific activity is within an individual LPN’s scope.

Practice Guideline: Determining LPN Scope of Practice

A document supporting understanding of how an LPN’s scope of practice is determined.

LPN Practice Decision Making Tool

A step-by-step guide to determine if a specific activity is within LPN scope of practice.

Video: Determining LPN Scope of Practice

A video containing specific scenarios to illustrate the factors that affect LPN scope of practice.

LPN scope of practice is set in legislation (the Health Professions Act) and regulations such as the Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation. These documents are developed by the Government of Alberta.

As the regulator for LPNs, the CLPNA creates documents such as standards of practice to further guide LPN practice. To develop these documents, the CLPNA engages with LPNs and other stakeholders. These documents are expected to align with the legislation and regulations set by the government.

In addition, the CLPNA provides other supports for LPN practice. This includes documents like policies, practice guidelines, and interpretive documents as well as practice support and regulation-related education.

An LPN’s regulatory scope of practice is defined in legislation, regulation, standards, and other documents.

The Health Professions Act (HPA) is developed by the Government of Alberta to establish a regulatory basis for LPN practice in Alberta. In Schedule 10, the HPA states that, in their practice, LPNs do one or more of the following:

• apply nursing knowledge, skills, and judgment to assess patient needs;
• provide nursing care for patients and families;
• teach, manage, and conduct research in the science, techniques, and practice of nursing; and
• provide restricted activities authorized by the regulations.

An activity that an LPN performs needs to fall within one of these four categories.

Restricted Activity Regulation and Standards

The Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation is developed by the Government of Alberta to authorize LPNs and other professionals to perform certain high-risk health services known as restricted activities. The restricted activities that LPNs are allowed to perform are stated in Section 20.

Note that LPNs should only perform these activities if they meet certain requirements. To perform a restricted activity, LPNs must have the appropriate knowledge, skills, and competence. They must also follow any employer requirements around performing these activities.

There may be additional education and practice requirements for performing restricted activities. These requirements are described in the Standards of Practice for LPNs on Restricted Activities, Advanced Practice, and Supervision.

More Documents

More information about skills, knowledge, and expected LPN behaviours can be found in the following key documents.

The Standards of Practice for LPNs in Canada define the legal and professional expectations of LPN practice. They are also a key component in the CLPNA’s Continuing Competence Program.

The Code of Ethics for LPNs in Canada provides details about the responsibilities that LPNs uphold and the behaviours that they are expected to demonstrate.

Entry Level Competencies for LPNs describes the knowledge, skills, judgment, and attitudes that LPNs at the beginning of their careers are required to demonstrate.

Employers work within the regulatory scope of practice, defined in the documents listed in the previous section, to define the LPN role in their specific setting. Employers cannot assign LPNs activities that are not in the regulatory scope of practice. However, it is reasonable to expect that LPN scope will vary depending on the employer and practice setting.

For example, administering medication via IV direct push is in an LPN’s regulatory scope of practice. This activity is listed in the Standards of Practice on Restricted Activities, Advanced Practice, and Supervision. It falls within the restricted activity in Standard 4.

However, some employers do not support LPNs in performing this activity, while others have the supports available and include IV direct push in the LPN role in their setting.

The CLPNA can also support employers in understanding LPN scope of practice. Anyone can send questions to the contact information at the end of this article.

LPNs are expected to regularly self-assess their professional practice and competence.

Patient safety should be central to any decision made about scope of practice. If an individual LPN does not have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform an activity safely, then they have a professional responsibility to refrain from performing it.  

In these cases, the LPN is still expected to work with the rest of the healthcare team to ensure that their client receives care. In addition, if a task is within their role, an LPN is expected to pursue training at a later time so that they can perform the activity competently.