We draw on the commitment, knowledge and skill of many each year, including the discerning leadership of our Council, President, Executive Director and staff. This year's invaluable public consultations guided us immensely, as did the voices of our committed and caring LPN members.
ACCOMPLISH
LEADING THE WAY2013 CLPNA COUNCIL
Bock row L - R: Diane Lorsen, LPN; Carlo Koyata, LPN; Gary Christopherson, Public Member; Doris Kuelken, LPN; Robyn Beaulieu, LPN; Valerie Paice, LPN
Front row L - R: Dieda John, LPN; Jo-Anne Macdonald-Watson, President; Linda Stanger, Executive Director/Registrar; Linda Coatsworth, LPN
Missing: Allan Buck, Public Member; Ralph Westwood, Public Member
LPNs are autonomous professional nurses and are responsible and accountable for the decisions they make.
Introduction
About the College
The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) exists to protect the public. We are the regulatory organization for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Alberta, Canada. CLPNA is governed by LPNs and by public members on behalf of the Minister of Health. The organization is supported through annual registration, examination, and other regulatory fees.
CLPNA regulates the profession and ensures the public receives safe, competent and ethical practical nursing by setting entry-to-practice requirements; approving practical nurse education programs leading to registration and specialty; establishing, promoting and enforcing standards of practice and a code of ethics; enhancing the care provided by members of the profession through the continuing competence program; and conducting investigation and discipline. Under provincial regulation, persons who provide professional services to the public as an LPN must qualify and be registered with CLPNA.
The organization was founded in 1985 and assumed regulatory responsibility for the profession in 1987. The CLPNA is legislated under Alberta's Health Professions Act (HPA), and has existed under its current name since 1998. The profession can be traced back to Alberta's Nursing Aides Act of 1947, and the development of the Certified Nursing Aide educational course.
Organizational Structure
About the Profession
LPNs are professional nurses who serve individuals, families, and groups, assessing their needs and providing appropriate care and treatment. LPNs use well-developed assessment and critical thinking skills to formulate nursing diagnoses, plan interventions, provide health education, and evaluate response to treatment in collaboration with clients and other health professionals. LPNs are autonomous professional nurses and are responsible and accountable for the decisions they make.
While LPNs usually work in teams they may assume independent, interdependent, and overlapping roles on the health care team. The level of independence for an LPN in practice varies depending upon the needs and complexity of the client, skills of the LPN, the team around them, and supports available in the setting.
Governance
The CLPNA is governed by its Council, comprised of eight elected Licensed Practical Nurses, three members of the public appointed by the provincial government in accordance with the HPA, and the Executive Director/Registrar. The Council operates on a policy governance model to fulfill its obligations outlined in the HPA, Licensed Practical Nurses Profession Regulation, and CLPNA Bylaws (June 2008).
In 2013, the CLPNA adopted a new Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Entry to Practice Competencies, and Requisite Skills and Abilities developed through the Inter-Jurisdictional LPN Project, a pan-Canadian project funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and led by the Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR). Consultation with CLPNA members and stakeholders on the IJLPN Project began in 2012 and concluded in 2013 through the Ministry of Health consultation process, including submission of the documents to the Minister for review in early 2013. The documents were formally adopted by CLPNA Council on March 15, 2013, with formal release on June 3, 2013.
Committees
CLPNA committees are established to assist the CLPNA in their responsibilities under the Health Professions Act (HPA). They are comprised of regulated members appointed by Council, and Public Members appointed by the provincial government.
COMMITTEES
Education Standards Advisory Committee [ESAC]
The Education Standards Advisory Committee establishes the Standard for Program Approval for all basic and specialty education programs for practical nurses in Alberta, and monitors programs to ensure compliance with this Standard.
- Pam Lammiman, Chair
- Gwen Evans, LPN
- Mary Jean Andrada, LPN
- Karen Olson, LPN
- Bruce Finkel, Member at Large
- Pam Mangold, Employer Representative
- Lisa Birmingham, Employer Representative
- Leona Ferguson, Employer Representative
- Maureen McQueen, Education Representative
- Vi Smith, Education Representative
- Joyce D'Andrea, Education Representative
- Linda Stanger, CLPNA Representative
- Teresa Bateman, CLPNA Representative
The CAC makes findings and determines disciplinary action arising from an appeal of a Hearing Tribunal Decision under the Health Professions Act.
- Jo-Anne Macdonald-Watson, LPN, Chairperson
- Carla Koyata, LPN
- Valerie Paice, LPN
- Allan Buck, Public Member
Public Members are appointed by the provincial government to sit on the Hearing Tribunal and Complaint Review Committee.
- Diane Adams
- William Fayers
- Peter Kawalilak
- Michael Tamtom
- Peter Van Bostelen
Hearing Tribunal (HT)
The HT makes findings and determines disciplinary action at professional conduct hearings under the Health Professions Act.
- Kelly Annesty, LPN
- Wanda Beaudoin, LPN
- Shelley Blaszkiewicz, LPN
- Danielle Canning, LPN
- L. Jean Collins, LPN
- Margaret Devlin, LPN
- Crystal Genoway, LPN
- Melanie Joyce, LPN
- Dawne Knibbs, LPN
- Diane W. Larsen, LPN
- Sheana Mahlitz, LPN
- Sylvia Morison, LPN
- Ann Noseworthy, LPN
- Kunal Sharma, LPN
- Patricia Standage, LPN
- Eryn Winfield, LPN
The CRC reviews and ratifies settlements through alternative complaint resolution and reviews of dismissal of complaints under the Health Professions Act.
- Michelle A. Tavenier, LPN
- Dawn Gillich, LPN
- Gaylene Mullett, LPN
The RCC reviews and makes decisions regarding registration and competence matters referred by the Executive Director/Registrar under the Health Professions Act and the Bylaws. The primary responsibility of the RCC is to guide and support the continuing competency program.
- Ashley Holloway, LPN, Chairperson
- Dianne Banks, LPN
- Christine Buck, LPN
- Cheryl Dell, LPN
- Lorna Diprose, LPN
- Jill Paton, LPN
- Michelle Rose, LPN
- Johanne Rousseau-Chicoine, LPN
- Jamie Tanda, LPN
- Teresa Bateman, CLPNA Representative
- Linda Findlay, CLPNA Representative
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The College of Licensed Practical Nurses (CLPNA) is responsible to lead the profession in a manner that protects and serves the public through excellence in Practical Nursing. The following report highlights key initiatives and work of the College as we honoured that commitment in 2013.
The year was characterized by unprecedented growth. As decision makers increasingly understand the role and contribution of LPNs, and as Alberta continues to be a thriving economy, we see increase in numbers, increase in opportunity and increase in presence for the LPN. The profession grew by over 10% with more Internationally Educated Nurses, more in-migration from other provinces and more Alberta grads. In spite of this, however, Alberta continues to have fewer LPNs per population than most Canadian jurisdictions and the second highest ratio of RNs to LPNs within the provinces. This suggests significant room for continued growth of LPN numbers for a sustainable system!
A key goal of CLPNA has been to increase relevant practice supports for LPNs. Council adopted four pan-Canadian documents including a Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Entry to Practice Competency Statement, and Requisite Skill and Ability document. A Jurisprudence exam was launched. Several new Practice Policies and Guidelines, Fact Sheets, and White Papers have been added. Webinars and interactive online learning tools were introduced in focused areas of practice with hundreds of LPNs taking part.
CLPNA continues our many collaborative relationships and initiatives in Alberta, across the country and internationally, always with a focus on public safety and increasing awareness of the role and scope of the LPN in a safe and effective, patient-centered, and collaborative system.
Significant work was completed on a new strategic plan to accompany the Council’s ten-year vision for the profession. The plan will engage each LPN in preparing our profession to meet the emerging health needs of Albertans in a continually evolving system. We look forward to working with LPNs, our educators, employers and government to begin implementation.
It takes great commitment, knowledge and skill of many to fulfill the mandate of a self-regulating profession. Thank you to our Council, our staff, the LPN educators, a large group of dedicated volunteers, and responsible employers. We appreciate your commitment to the LPN profession.
Most important, thank you to the LPNs of Alberta for your demonstration of excellence as you provide competent, committed care making a difference for Albertans and your profession!
With respect and appreciation,
Linda Stanger
We see increase in numbers, increase in opportunity
and increase in presence for the LPN.
MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLIC MEMBERS
2013 was another busy year for the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), under the leadership of President Jo-Anne Macdonald-Watson, and operations direction by Executive Director/Registrar Linda Stanger.
Council focused on several key initiatives: forging and improving stakeholder, provincial, and national relationships; active and effective promotion of the profession; and implementing an enhanced policy governance model for Council decision-making and monitoring. An environmental scanning process was also implemented for Council to clearly understand the impact expected as the “baby-boom generation” begins moving into the plus sixty-five age group. This significant increase in older clients will likely change service-delivery options available and the number and kind of personnel required.
Council members are gaining a system-wide understanding of these changes and the insights will be important for Council in making decisions to help ensure LPNs continue to provide competent and safe patient care services. We are impressed by the commitment and integrity of our Council colleagues and it is a pleasure to be full partners in all deliberations.
We confirm the CLPNA and Council members effectively fulfill their roles in ways that serve and protect the public, and this results in the delivery of high quality health care for Albertans. It is our pleasure to report that the CLPNA is very well-respected, managed and directed.
Respectfully submitted,
Allan Buck, Gary Christopherson (pictured above) and Ralph Westwood
CLPNA and Council members effectively fulfill their roles in ways that serve and protect the public, and this results in the delivery of high quality health care for Albertans.