Nursing Education Program Approval Guide LPN

Introduction

This guide outlines the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses¹ Nursing Education Program Approval process and requirements for entry-level² Practical Nursing Programs.

The program approval process is based on the Program Approval Framework approved by the NL College of Nurses Board.

This guide will help you understand the program approval process and how to prepare for your program review. Specifically, it explains the following:

• standards and indicators used to evaluate programs
• review process and documentation requirements
• approval statuses

Regulatory Approval of Programs

Our commitment to govern practical nursing in Newfoundland and Labrador in the public interest is the basis for a program approval process. The Nurses Act (2024) authorizes the College to approve practical nursing education programs in NL. The regulation supports our public protection mandate to ensure that individuals who enter the practical nursing profession have the knowledge, skill and judgment to practice safely, ethically and competently.

Entry-level practical nursing programs in NL must receive program approval from the College for graduates to be eligible to proceed with registration. The College is responsible for assessing programs against standard criteria and the Board has the final authority to grant a program’s approval status.

The Objectives of Program Approval

These are the objectives of the program approval process:

• fulfil the College’s legislative duty to approve practical nursing education programs
• promote the safe practice of practical nursing through a standardized approval process for practical nursing education
• grant jurisdictional recognition to practical nursing education programs
• provide stakeholders with a transparent account of program approval
• support continuous evaluation and improvement of practical nursing education in NL.

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