Standards of Practice for Licensed Practical Nurses in Canada

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Preamble

The Standards of Practice for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Canada provide a national framework for LPN practice. The Standards of Practice are authoritative statements that define the legal and professional expectations of licensed practical nurse practice. In conjunction with the Code of Ethics for Licensed Practical Nurses, they describe the elements of quality LPN practice and facilitate mobility through interjurisdictional mutual understanding and agreement of expectations and requirements for practice.

The four broad standards are applicable to LPNs in all settings in which they practice. They provide the benchmark to which LPNs are measured. Indicators accompany each standard and describe more specifically the expectations for LPN practice. Neither the standards nor the indicators are in any order of priority.

LPNs are accountable to meet these Standards of Practice. The legislative responsibility for setting, monitoring, and enforcing the Standards of Practice lies with the provincial and territorial regulatory authorities.

Where the legislation and this Standards of Practice document conflict, legislation will apply.

  1. Standards of Practice
  2. Professional Accountability and Responsibility
  3. Evidence Informed Practice
  4. Public protection through self-regulation
  5. Professional and Ethical Practice

Principles

Four principles provide the foundation on which the Standards were updated.

  1. LPNs are self-regulating, accountable practitioners responsible to provide safe, competent, ethical nursing practice and to work collaboratively with clients1 and other healthcare providers.
  2. LPN practice is client centred and includes individuals, families, groups and communities.
  3. LPN standards provide the structure to support LPNs to meet the needs of the population in the Canadian healthcare system.
  4. LPN practice requires individual leadership and professionalism as demonstrated through their commitment to continuing competence, continuing education, and safe ethical practice.

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  1. “Client” is defined as “an individual (or designated representative), family, group or community”. Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (2017). Examination Blueprint. Retrieved December 7, 2020. ↩︎

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