On Nov. 28, 2024, the BCCNM board approved revisions to the licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and registered psychiatric nurse (RPN) scope of practice. The revisions clarify and strengthen the requirements to be met by nurses when performing advanced activities. These changes take effect Dec. 30, 2024.
Review the revised standards:
LPN
RN
RPN
Context
With rapid advances in health care and the increasing complexity of care required by clients, nurses are being called upon to perform activities that require competencies that go beyond those that they attained in their entry-level nursing education programs, and that are considered
advanced activities. BCCNM is receiving a growing number of enquiries from nurses and employers regarding challenges as they work to understand how BCCNM standards may apply when nurses perform these advanced activities.
We thank the many nurses who
participated in the surveys to inform revisions to BCCNM standards to clarify and strengthen the requirements to be met when performing advanced activities.
Background
Entry-level competencies are those essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgments that nurses require to safely and ethically care for clients as they begin their nursing practice. Over time, a nurse's practice evolves in alignment with their role and/or setting.
While the nurse continues to practice within their scope of practice, their care of clients and the activities they perform move beyond entry level. The nurse attains competence to perform these advanced activities through additional education, training, and/or clinical experience that builds on the foundational competencies obtained through their entry-level nursing program.
The changes to the
Acting within Autonomous Scope of Practice and
Acting with Client-specific Orders standards for LPNs, RNs, and RPNs address gaps and ensure risk is mitigated when nurses perform advanced activities.
Questions?
Contact our team: