Information about the CLPNBC

The CLPNBC is made up of two separate yet interdependent entities: the Board of Directors and the staff.

The Board of Directors

The Board governs, controls and administers the affairs of the College in accordance with the Health Professions Act and through the development of it's Mission, Mandate, Vision and Values. It also establishes and monitors governance policies. Some of the policies determine goals and outcomes and the contribution the College makes to the BC healthcare system. Other policies guide the performance of the Executive Director, and therefore the CLPNBC, by establishing guidelines and strategies.

Click here for a list of all board members

The Staff

The Executive Director is the only employee of the Board and is responsible for the administration of the CLPNBC. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board.

The staff are employees of the College and report to the Executive Director. Board decisions are given to the Executive Director who is responsible for ensuring that they are implemented by the staff.

Mission/Mandate/Vision/Values

Our Mission

The CLPNBC is responsible for regulating the profession of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the public interest.

Our Mandate

It is the duty of the CLPNBC at all times to:

serve and protect the public.
establish, monitor, and enforce standards of practice.
enhance the quality of practice and reduce incompetent, impaired, or unethical practice.
establish and maintain a continuing competency program to promote high standards of practice.
establish, monitor, and enforce standards of professional ethics among registrants.

Our Vision

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia is recognized provincially, nationally, and internationally as a leader in professional nursing regulation and is committed to protection of the public through safe, competent, and ethical practice of its registrants.

Our Values

We base our work on a commitment to the following Values:

Accountability
Responsibility
Ethics
Competence
Adaptability
Collaboration

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History of LPNs in Canada

The first nurses in Canada were religious women who were summoned from France to take care of the sick and to teach children. The first hospital, the Hotel Dieu in Quebec, was founded in 1639 and staffed by the Sisters of the Order of St. Augustine.

The earliest school for nurses was opened in 1865 at the General and Marine Hospital in St. Catharines, Ontario. It was patterned after the Florence Nightingale program of training nurses-hands-on training in a hospital setting for one year.

By the turn of the century, medicine, hospitals and the public recognized trained nurses as an important part of the health-care team. As early as 1914, the Canadian Nurses Association recognized the value of the practical nurse, specifically in the provision of care to clients at home.

By 1931, there were 4,700 practical nurses in Canada and by 1947, the number had increased to more than 7,900.

Today, there are over 75,000 licensed practical nurses in the country, the second largest group of nurses after registered nurses.

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LPNs in B.C.

1951: The Practical Nurse Act was passed by the provincial legislature. It controlled the education, testing, licensing, and regulation of practical nurses in the province.

1965: Although the PN Act was passed in 1951, it did not take effect until 1965. The Act established the Council of Licensed Practical Nurses as the licensing body for practical nurses; the first time that practical nurses were recognized as a self-regulating profession.

1986: Amendments to the Act and the regulations created a Discipline Committee to oversee the conduct of LPNs.

1991: The Council of LPNs in B.C. was created as a regulatory body of the Ministry of Health.

1992 to 1994: The Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice for LPNs in B.C. were developed.

1996: The Council of LPNs in B.C. was designated under the Health Professions Act and its name was changed to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of B.C. (CLPNBC). It now is recognized as a professional regulatory organization and its registrants as health-care professionals.

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Legislation/Regulation

The CLPNBC is a regulatory organization established by the provincial government. It is required to operate within the parameters of several legislative structures. The legislation and regulation requirements provide the legal framework within which the CLPNBC, its staff, board, and committees work to protect the safety of the public.

This section of our website provides a broad overview of the legislation that governs the CLPNBC:

the Health Professions Act
the CLPNBC bylaws
the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and
the Criminal Records Review Act

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Health Professions Act

The Health Professions Act (HPA) is the primary legislative authority under which the CLPNBC carries out its mandate to govern the LPN profession in the interest of protecting the public's safety.

In accordance with the HPA, the Board of Directors is authorized to oversee the business of the CLPNBC; to develop standards of education and practice, Code of Ethics; registration of candidates applying to become LPNs; renewal and reinstatement of registration; continuing competence programs, and other objectives. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the CLPNBC meets the objects specified in the Health Professions Act and the CLPNBC bylaws.

To access a copy of the electronic version of Bill 62, Health Professions Amendment Act, 2003, click on the following link:
http://www.bclaws.ca
Click on statutes and regulations.
NOTE: The electronic version is for informational purposes only. The printed version remains the official version.

To access B.C. Reg 71/96, Health Professions Act, Licensed Practical Nurse Regulations, click on the following link:
http://www.bclaws.ca
Click on statutes and regulations

Under Section 16 (1) of the Health Professions Act of B.C., it is the duty of a college at all times:

to serve and protect the public, and
to exercise its powers and discharge its responsibilities under all enactments in the public interest

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CLPNBC Bylaws

The board is responsible to the government, registrants, and the public. Of these, the most important is the responsibility of ensuring that LPNs practice safe, competent, and ethical nursing in the interest of public safety.

The government gives the CLPNBC its mandate through the Health Professions Act. This legislation essentially says that the CLPNBC is responsible for supervising LPNs so that the public receives safe and appropriate nursing care. Therefore in the interest of public safety, the CLPNBC is given certain legal responsibilities including:

the authority to register LPNs and collect fees
to set and maintain standards of nursing practice
to approve basic nursing education programs, and
to intervene when individual nurses behave in a way that could affect the safety of the public

The CLPNBC interprets these responsibilities through their Bylaws, which must be approved by the government. The HPA and the Bylaws enable the CLPNBC to engage in activities that go beyond what is required by the government, providing that these activities are consistent with the intentions of the HPA.

The Bylaws provide staff, the board, and the registrants with a clear statement of the responsibilities, accountabilities, and processes that the College and registrants must adhere to.

The current Bylaws are available to review and download from the publications menu.

The CLPNBC Board of Directors has developed new Bylaws under the HPA for government approval. These Bylaws were approved by the board on September 8, 2005 and are posted in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The new Bylaws are also available by selecting the publications menu.

Please contact the Executive Director, if you have any questions or comments regarding these Bylaws at (778) 373- 3100, executivedirector@clpnbc.org

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Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

The CLPNBC staff are very aware of the sensitive nature of the information that is in their files. Therefore, the CLPNBC maintains a strict records-access policy to maintain the security and confidentiality of all information.

The staff assures registrants, stakeholders, and the public that their information is handled in a secure and confidential manner. The records management policies are in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as well as generally accepted records retention, access, and destruction principles. Only authorized individuals have access to the files of the CLPNBC in each department on a "need-to-know" basis.

The philosophy governing access to registrant records is that the CLPNBC will release all records except when the record, or any part of the record, is protected by the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All records related to schools, staff, or registrants are considered personal records. As a result, they are protected through security and confidentiality mechanisms, as well as adherence to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

For access to the Freedom of Information legislation, go to:
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/F/96165_01.htm

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Criminal Records Review Act

The Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) was passed by the B.C. Legislature and came into effect January 1996. The purpose of this Act is to protect children from physical and sexual abuse. It applies to all registered members of selected governing bodies. In accordance with the implementation schedule set out by the CRRA, the CLPNBC must receive a Consent to Criminal Record Review form for each applicant applying for registration.

This form is in no way related to any other criminal record search that an applicant may have had to undergo in the past. Registrants who have had a previous criminal record check must undergo this search in accordance with the CRRA.

As part of the application process, applicants must submit the completed Consent to Criminal Record Review form plus the required fee to the CLPNBC. Instructions are included in the application package.

For access to the CCRA legislation, go to:
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/C/96086_01.htm

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