The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL) is the regulatory (licensing) body for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The CLPNNL has been granted the authority through the Licensed Practical Nurses’ Act to regulate the practical nursing profession in Newfoundland and Labrador for the protection of the public. The mandate of the CLPNNL is to promote safety and protect the public through the provision of safe, competent, compassionate, and ethical nursing care.
In fulfilling its role of public protection, the CLPNNL assumes the responsibility of determining standards for the education and practice of LPNs. The CLPNNL ensures LPNs have the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgement required to provide holistic nursing care to a diverse clientele in a variety of settings.
The CLPNNL has the legislated responsibility to ensure that LPNs meet all necessary requirements prior to receiving a license each year.
The CLPNNL develops policies, interpretive documents and practice guidelines to provide direction to LPNs in supporting their practice.
The CLPNNL is also responsible for the investigation of all written complaints against LPNs alleging negligence, incompetence, professional misconduct, incapacity or unfitness to practice. Following the investigation of a written complaint the CLPNNL is responsible to ensure the discipline process as outlined in the Licensed Practical Nurses’ Act and Regulations is followed.
The mandate of the CLPNNL is to promote safety and protect the public through the provision of safe, competent, compassionate, and ethical nursing care.
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Regulate Licensed Practical Nurses in the public interest.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has granted the authority to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL) to regulate the practice of LPNs in the province. This authority is set forth in the LPN Act and LPN Regulations.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are health professionals regulated by the Licensed Practical Nurses Act. The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL) in accordance with the Licensed Practical Nurses Act has the legislative responsibility for regulating the professional practice of LPNs in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Self-regulation is commonly used in technically-specialized and complex areas, like healthcare, because individual professions have the specific knowledge and expertise necessary to set education, competence, licensure, and practice requirements and standards.
Government establishes healthcare legislation and regulation; the CLPNNL implements and enforces this legislation and regulation for the Licensed Practical Nursing profession.
Members are accountable for practicing within professional standards and maintaining and enhancing their professional competence. CLPNNL communicates standards of practice, delivery of care, and conduct directly with Licensed Practical Nurses. Professional standards, guidelines and competencies are also available as public documents.
Every LPN is personally and professionally responsible to ensure they adhere to the Standards of Practice and they meet their College’s regulatory requirements for licensure.
The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL) has developed a strategic plan covering the period 2020-2024. It focuses on two strategic priorities:
- Effective regulation of practical nurses
- Education and awareness about LPN practice and regulation
For more information on the CLPNNL’s current strategic plan please click here.
Licensed Practical Nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador are governed by the CLPNNL. The Board is responsible for the College's mandate to promote safety and protection of the general public through the provision of safe, competent, and ethical nursing care.
The Board consists of 11 individuals: Six (6) LPNs who are elected through an elections process representing the electoral districts; three (3) public representatives (appointed by Government); one (1) representative from the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS); and the Chief Executive Officer/Registrar of the CLPNNL. The Board has a number of functions to fulfill. These functions include:
- Providing accountability and linkages between the members and the College;
- Ensuring the College is fulfilling its mandate as outlined in the LPN Act and Regulations and is consistent with College By-laws;
- Developing and reviewing annually the College’s strategic plan and priorities;
- Establishing governing policies, in accordance with the governing legislation, for the effective management of the College;
- Ensuring the College is managed on a sound financial basis, which includes approving the annual budget; and
- Selecting, supporting and evaluating the Chief Executive Officer, whose role is to carry out and implement the decisions of the Board.
The Board makes decisions that are important to LPNs. Such decisions include making changes to the Entry to Practice requirements, Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, professional conduct processes, or establishing the need for continuing competence program or requirements. All decisions by the Board are made in the public interest with an understanding of the profession and the settings in which practical nursing is practiced. The Board meets on a regular basis – at least 3 times a year.
Board Members:
* Appointed by Government
The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador has several committees that aid the CLPNNL in carrying out its mandate of public protection. These committees include the Complaints Authorization Committee; Disciplinary Panel; Finance Committee; and Quality Assurance Committee. The activities of all committees are conducted in accordance with the LPN Act and Regulations, CLPNNL By-laws and the committees' Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference for all committees are approved by the CLPNNL Board. The Terms of Reference outline the mandate of each committee, its composition and its quorum. All duties performed by the committee are under the direction of the Board.
The designation "Licensed Practical Nurse" (LPN) refers to a person who is licensed to practice by a regulatory group such as the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL).
A Licensed Practical Nurse is a person who performs duties or services relating to the care of a client that is consistent with their training. LPNs are responsible and accountable to adhere to the Licensed Practical Nurses’ Act and Regulations, the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Practical Nursing is a self-regulating profession, like medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. All of these health care professionals require a license to practice. To practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Newfoundland and Labrador, an individual must be a graduate of an approved practical nursing program or equivalent and have successfully completed the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE).
Once LPNs have obtained their license, lifelong learning is essential to maintain competence. Thus, they must continue to build on their education.
LPNs are highly skilled nurses capable of fulfilling their critical responsibilities. LPNs are qualified to perform a wide range of nursing competencies consistent with their individual scope of practice including medication administration, health assessment, IV infusion therapy, administration of blood products, tracheostomy care, tube feeding, wound care, etc.
LPNs are educationally prepared to provide nursing services for a variety of clients in diverse settings. The setting may be acute care, long-term care, ambulatory care, community and public health care, etc. LPNs frequently assume multiple roles when they provide nursing services for clients, including direct caregiver, teacher/mentor, facilitator/counselor, advocate, coordinator, participant in policy development, participant in community development, etc.
LPNs are an essential part of the family of nursing and the health care delivery system. LPNs are complementary to other health care disciplines and share responsibilities and functions with them. Practical Nursing is a caring, supportive profession which is guided by a Code of Ethics. LPNs are individually accountable and responsible for their actions and decisions.
As members of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL), LPNs are automatically provided with professional liability coverage. Included with the annual licensure, CLPNNL provides a professional liability policy. This policy covers the LPN for faults, errors, omissions and negligence for services rendered while acting within their scope and duties. For more information, please click on the link.
Note: all LPNs who are self-employed must hold commercial general liability insurance in addition to the errors and omissions liability insurance purchased by CLPNNL on behalf of its registrants. Consult CLPNNL's Self-employment Practice Guideline for more information and consult an insurance broker (such as Lloyd Sadd) to obtain coverage.