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"The provision of high quality, accessible health services depends on having the right workers, with the right skills, in the right settings. The utilization of LPNs to their full scope of practice is an important part of building a modern nursing and health care team."
Vancouver (16 Jan. 2013) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has submitted comments in response to the Ministry of Health's proposed changes to the regulation that governs the licensed practical nurse (LPN) profession.
"Licensed practical nurses are an increasingly important part of nursing care, particularly in home and community care," says Darryl Walker, BCGEU President. "Our union represents hundreds of LPNs, with that number growing as LPNs are increasingly utilized in home and community care and as we organize new members into our union."
The union's submission supports government's move to a "restricted activities" model which defines the activities that LPNs may perform without an order, and with an order. However, the union's submission points out areas where LPNs are prepared and ready to assume their role as independent nursing professionals within the full scope of current LPN practice and competencies.
Walker said, "We support efforts to ensure that LPNs in B.C. are utilized based on their educational preparation, optimized to their full scope, and standardized across B.C. and Canada. The provision of high quality, accessible health services depends on having the right workers, with the right skills, in the right settings. The utilization of LPNs to their full scope of practice is an important part of building a modern nursing and health care team."
Walker said, "I want to thank all our LPNs who provided thoughtful responses to the Ministry's proposal and helped shape our submission. Your voice makes a difference to the future of your profession and the work you do in providing quality nursing care in B.C."
To read the full submission, click here.
More information:
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE