Nursing practice trends, learning supports, and standards of practice

​​Updated Oct. 19, 2026

Survey: nursing practice t​​rends, BCCNM learning supports & using BCCNM standards of practice

July 2026​​​​

BCCNM invited LPNs, RNs, RPNs, and NPs to participate in a survey on nursing practice trends, BCCNM learning supports, and nurses' awareness, use, and application of BCCNM standards of practice. This survey had a total of 202 respondents.

What we heard​​​

Nursing practice trends: Most survey respondents (75%) have experienced or observed significant changes or trends in their nursing practice in the last three years involving technology and digital tools, newly graduated nurses, internationally educated nurses, mentorship, workload, and staffing.

BCCNM learning supports:

• 83% of nurses aware B​​CCNM publishes resources to help nurses understand and apply standards of practice.

• 57% of​​​ nurses reported they were aware that BCCNM has a Standards Support team who provide guidance on applying standards to nursing practice.

BCCNM standards of practice:

• 91% of nurses ​​are aware BCC​​NM publishes nursing standards of practice that set minimum expectations for nurses practising in B.C., with 59% stating they are “very familiar" with these standards.
  

• ​32% of nurses have encountered challenges applying BCCNM standards of practice and shared examples of vagueness (too broad and long, wanting specific exa​mples), workload and staffing conditions, and employer-enforced limitation​​s on scope.
  

The following approaches have helped nurses apply BCCNM standards of practice:

• Prior knowledge (e.g., formal education, training, or experiences)
• Discussion with nurse peers
• Reviewing BCCNM learning resources
• Employer or workplace supports (e.g., orientation, training, asking nursing leaders)

• Con​tacting BCCNM Standards Support services

What happe​​ns next

BCCNM will use the survey results to inform future work on standards of practice.