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Public advisory: defying public health orders


Nov 2, 2021

​There have been numerous media reports over the past days and weeks regarding activities of BCCNM registrants who participate, organize, or agitate against public he​alth orders in place to deal with COVID-19.

We want to assure registrants and the public that we are working with our partners in the health care system, including the Ministry of Health, and are taking steps to address such reports. We have legal tools at our disposal to:

  • ensure no individual misuses their registered title or practises nursing or midwifery without current registration,
  • restrain individuals from using any of the protected titles when they are not lawfully allowed to do so, and
  • restrain individuals from unauthorized practice of nursing and/or midwifery.

Using a protected title is a privilege—not a right

BCCNM once again reminds all members of the public and its registrants that the titles: Nurse, Registered Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and Midwife are all protected titles. This means only individuals who are BCCNM registrants have the right and privilege to use these titles in British Columbia.

BCCNM registrants are free to voice their own opinions in a lawful manner but are not entitled to use a protected title to spread misinformation. BCCNM can and will take action against registrants whose use of title poses a risk to the public or could bring the profession of nursing or midwifery into disrepute.

We also remind all members of the public that any individual who wishes to practise nursing or midwifery must be registered with BCCNM. ​

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