Updated July 10, 2026
Meeting standards of practice during job action
BCCNM understands job action can create challenging, changing circumstances for nurses, employers, and clients. BCCNM is not involved in collective bargaining or labour relations. Our role is to regulate nurses and midwives in the public interest, including helping nurses understand and meet their professional and ethical responsibilities.
Nurses have the right to participate in the collective bargaining process. During any job action, they remain accountable for meeting BCCNM's Standards of Practice and providing the best care possible under the circumstances.
BCCNM can provide guidance on the application of professional standards and accountabilities but
cannot determine essential services, staffing levels, work duties and assignments, or other labour relations matters.
Ensuring safe client care
Nurses are expected to use professional judgment, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making to promote safe client care. This includes assessing client needs, setting priorities, communicating concerns, collaborating with the care team, and taking reasonable steps to address issues that may affect client outcomes.
Patient safety needs include participating in handoff or shift report, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team, and contributing to care plan reviews and patient rounds. What nurses refer to another care provider
depends on the practice setting and available supports.
Nurses must not abandon clients and are expected to practise in accordance with all applicable Standards of Practice, including the
Duty to Provide Care practice standard.
The duties nurses must carry out will vary by practice setting, available resources, client needs, and team roles. Nurses are accountable for considering their practice environment and using professional judgment, ethics, and critical thinking to meet their obligations and act in clients' best interests.
A reminder to nurses that the
controls on practice determine what a nurse may perform in any given role and setting. These controls are governed by legislation, regulation, employer policies and finally by the nurses' assessment of their individual competency.
Resources
Nurses who require assistance understanding how professional standards apply in a specific practice situation may contact BCCNM Standards Support.
FAQs
- When we work short-staffed, we're not always able to meet all our clients' care needs. Can we be reported for not meeting standards?
In this type of situation, it is very unlikely you would be reported to BCCNM. BCCNM becomes involved only when it receives a formal written complaint alleging that a nurse's unethical, impaired, or incompetent practice puts clients at risk.
When reviewing complaints, BCCNM considers the context in which care was provided, including the practice environment, available resources, circumstances, and actions taken by the nurse. Each complaint is assessed individually through a fair, balanced, and thorough process.
Even when optimal care is not possible, you can still meet the Professional Standards by providing the best care possible under the circumstances. These situations are usually beyond one nurse's control and often require a systems response. In these situations:
- Assess client needs, available staff, and skill mix.
- Communicate any immediate safety concerns to your manager or supervisor.
- Work with the care team to set priorities and adjust care plans or care delivery as needed.
- Check in with the care team during the shift, reassess, and adjust care plans as appropriate.
- At the end of your shift, document the situation and share concerns with your manager.
Following these steps can help you meet the Professional Standards and provide safe, competent, ethical care.
For more information, see
Working with limited resources.
For further assistance, complete the
Standards Support intake form.
- During job action, I'm concerned that client care may be compromised. What should I do?
When care needs exceed available resources, use professional judgment and ethical decision-making to provide safe, appropriate, and ethical care to the best of your ability.
The following strategies may help you:
- Assess client needs, staff capacity, and available resources with the care team. Consider environmental safety needs such as oxygen, suction, and access to call bells.
- Set priorities and adjust care plans or care delivery as needed, including moving clients to ensure access to equipment or monitoring.
- Identify and communicate any immediate safety concerns to the appropriate person, such as your supervisor or manager.
- Explore whether discharging or transferring clients is an option. Include physicians in the discussion when appropriate.
- Check in regularly with the care team to reassess and adjust care plans.
- Document the situation and communicate any concerns to your manager.
Working with limited resources and
10 tips provide more information and guidance. For further assistance, complete the
Standards Support intake form.
- I'm expected to work in an unfamiliar practice area. Can I refuse?
Your employer may reassign you to another area. In most cases, you cannot refuse a reassignment.
Consider what care you can safely provide within your level of competence. Communicate this clearly to the appropriate person, such as your immediate supervisor, and discuss any concerns about the reassignment. Refusing a reassignment is generally justified only when the risk of harm to clients is greater if you accept than if you refuse. If you do not have the competence to work in the assigned area, collaborate with others to determine the best option and follow up in writing.
Working in an unfamiliar practice area can be challenging. These strategies may help:
- Ask for an orientation to the clients, environment and resources.
- Review your assignment with the charge nurse and discuss the care requirements for your assigned clients.
- Identify what care you can safely provide and what is outside your competence.
- Communicate regularly with the charge nurse/team leader about changes to your clients and their plan of care.
- Ask for a nurse to be assigned as your resource person.
Working with limited resources provides more information and guidance. For further assistance, complete the
Standards Support intake form.