Continuing Competency Program

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador (CLPNNL) has the legislated responsibility, in accordance with the Licensed Practical Nurses Act (2005), to regulate the practice of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Newfoundland and Labrador. In keeping with its mandate of public protection, the CLPNNL implemented a mandatory Continuing Competency Program (CCP) for LPNs in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2017. The CCP was revised in 2023.


LPNs are required to demonstrate a commitment to continuing competence by meeting the requirements established through the Licensed Practical Nurses Regulations (2011), Standards of Practice for Licensed Practical Nurses in Canada (2020), and through the annual completion of CLPNNL’s Continuing Competency Program (CCP). Section 5. 1 (c) of the LPN Regulations states that “The Registrar may renew the license of a practical nurse who applies for renewal where the practical nurse has provided, in addition to the requirements set out in section 12 of the Act, proof that is satisfactory to the board of successful completion of a program of continuing competence as may be required by the board”. The Standards of Practice for LPNs states that “the LPN self-assess their professional practice and competence and participate in continuous learning”. Therefore, all LPNs, regardless of practice setting and employment status, are required to participate in the CCP each year in order to renew their license.


CLPNNL’s CCP is a regulatory program and a quality assurance element designed to assist LPNs to maintain and enhance their professional competence every year. It requires LPNs to reflect and identify opportunities to broaden their knowledge base, increase their skill capacity and enhance their individual scope of practice, ultimately achieving professional growth and continually improving competence throughout their nursing career. The CCP provides a level of assurance to the public that LPNs are continuously meeting their professional standards of practice.


The CCP is an integral part of the CLPNNL’s Quality Framework. As noted in the Quality Model below, it is one of the seven key elements which collectively supports LPNs in practicing safely, competently, compassionately, and ethically.

CCP Framework

 

Each year, LPNs document their learning in the CCP Toolkit listed below. If selected for Quality Monitoring, CLPNNL requires LPNs to submit portions of the their Toolkit. 

2024 CCP Toolkit 

2023 CCP Toolkit