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In response to proposed changes to the regulation that governs the LPN profession that were announced this fall, HEU made a submission on December 21 to the B.C. Ministry of Health. 

government’s proposed changes to the regulation currently governing LPN practice – while containing some advancements – also has the potential to set back LPN practice

the regulation moves away from LPNs being under the direct supervision of an RN, to a “restricted activities” model

HEALTH CARE IS CHANGING.

Across North America, LPNs are taking on new roles and responsibilities as part of a modern nursing care team where every member is utilized to their full scope of practice.

In June, HEU brought together 60 LPN leaders for a consultation on the evolution of LPN practice in B.C.

The Leader-Post (Regina) Wed Jun 24 2015

Nurses are raising concerns about staffing in Saskatchewan health-care facilities, in spite of an increased number of nurses working in the province. "We're really concerned around short-staffing," said Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) president Tracy Zambory. "There isn't enough registered nurses on the floor to provide safe care."

Further, she said the right staff mix is an issue. A Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) report released Tuesday says there were 10,341 registered nurses (RNs) working in Saskatchewan last year. The number has increased every year since 2006, when 8,480 RNs were working in the province.

Every LPN owes it to themselves and their colleagues to make an informed choice about the future of our independent profession. HEU has a clear vision, a solid record of achievement, and an unwavering commitment to our success. BCNU does not. Before you cast your ballot learn why BCNU is the wrong union for LPNs. And why BCNU will always put RNs ahead of LPNs.

May 9, 2016 |

For going on two years, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) has waged a heated campaign against changes to the scope of practice of licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Recently, SUN members demanded a special meeting of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA), the profession’s regulatory body, at which they proposed the ouster of the executive director and the members of the governing council for being insufficiently hostile to the changes to the LPN bylaws.

CUPE’s report, Full Utilization of LPNs: A practical solution to the nursing shortage was sent to the health region board last month.

Although licensed practical nurses have the knowledge and skills to perform an array of nursing duties, CUPE 4777 President Carol McKnight says many still are not allowed to work to their full scope of training.

CUPE 4777 President Carol McKnight described the situation as a “terrible waste of nursing skills and talent.”  The union’s recommendations to resolve the problem include: The development of a clear policyto enable LPNs to work to their full scope of practice across the health region.  The policy should include a complaint/resolution process so that LPNs or supervisors can challenge an assignment of duties that violates the policy The Health Region foster a culture of respect and team work among all nursing groups The Health Region establish benchmarks in each facility to measure progress towards the goal of full utilization of LPNs

August 16, 2013 All BCNU’s current raid applications dismissed; union representation votes likely at many community health and long-term care sites

The B.C. Labour Relations Board issued a decision on August 16 that dismissed 48 raid applications filed by BCNU last fall, while setting out a framework for determining union representation for LPNs recently transferred into the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA).

BCNU’s raid on LPNs in affiliate employers covered by the facilities subsector agreement – mostly long-term care sites – were dismissed by the LRB because these LPNs were subsequently moved into the NBA when the BC Liberals passed Bill 18 just before the spring election.

CUPE LPNS are skilled and caring professionals who provide hand-on nursing care to families across the province. CUPE has been a long advocate for ensuring all LPNS are able to work to full scope, and are a respected part of the nursing team.

Debbie HaftnerCUPE LPN, Turtleford

Decisions have now been made on how $2.5 million in new training funds will be used to support LPN training opportunities in specialty areas like ER, OR, renal, mental health and maternity -- and in leadership roles in residential care.

It's estimated that 3,000 training spots for both LPNs and care aides will be created with the new funds that were secured from the BC Health Education Fund as an outcome of facilities bargaining last year.

Over the 2006 to 2010 period the number of licensed practical nurses grew 3.6 times faster than the number of registered nurses

Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland and Labrador

Victoria, BC (16 Jan. 2012) – Licensed and Registered Practical Nurses (LPNs/RPNs), who are members of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), met earlier this week in Victoria to discuss public policy, labour relations and professional practice issues.   They were joined by LPN representatives from the B.C Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU).   Three important issues discussed at the meeting included: Strategies to ensure LPNs/RPNs receive recognition and respect for the important independent role they play as members of a professional nursing team. The evolution of LPN/RPN practice and regulatory changes that impact entry to practice and scope of practice.  The ongoing negotiations between the federal, provincial and territorial governments for a new Health Accord in Canada.

In order to strengthen the delivery of health care in Canada, a new Health Accord must encourage health care employers to utilize all health care workers to full scope of practice, particularly Licensed and Registered Practical Nurses; this would help to improve the quality of care and to ensure the cost effective delivery services.

Newsletter November 22, 2013 The B.C. Labour Relations Board (LRB) has issued its final decision clarifying the status of licensed practical nurse (LPN) seniority and service entitlements following Bill 18. Bill 18 is provincial government legislation that, on April 15, 2013, moved LPNs from the Facilities Bargaining Unit (FBU) and the Community Bargaining Unit (CBU) to the Nurses Bargaining Unit (NBU).

Apr 14, 2014

(Sydney) – Another union contract has been reached between Breton Ability Centre in Sydney and a group of its employees, this time it’s LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) in CUPE Local 1478. CUPE National Representative Wanda Power says, “The 50 LPNs ratified their new deal in a ratification vote late last week. While they are happy with receiving the provincial wage template of 7.5% increases over three years, they were not happy with having Bill 37 hanging over their heads in bargaining. “With the passage of the McNeil Government’s Essential Services Act, these employees felt they had little choice but to accept the offer. There were other outstanding issues, such as a recruitment and retention bonus for long service employees, that weren’t contained in the offer,” says Power. Power says, “After concluding this round of bargaining, it is quite clear to us that Bill 37 is designed to tilt the balance of power in favour of employers in the health care and community services sector.”

May 12, 2014 National Nursing Week May 12-18; LPN Day May 13 It’s National Nursing Week and the Hospital Employees’ Union is marking our members’ seven decades of delivering bedside nursing care.

And it’s not without risks. Care aides and LPNs have some of the highest rates of workplace injury – including from acts of force and violence – of any job classification in B.C.  Short-staffing continues to force our members to make impossible decisions about what care needs will go unmet.

HEU represents more than a thousand LPNs working mostly in residential care facilities across the province. LPNs have seen their responsibilities and scope of practice expand dramatically over the last decade.

(Sydney) – Another union contract has been reached between Breton Ability Centre in Sydney and a group of its employees, this time it’s LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) in CUPE Local 1478.

CUPE National Representative Wanda Power says, “The 50 LPNs ratified their new deal in a ratification vote late last week. While they are happy with receiving the provincial wage template of 7.5% increases over three years, they were not happy with having Bill 37 hanging over their heads in bargaining. “With the passage of the McNeil Government’s Essential Services Act, these employees felt they had little choice but to accept the offer. There were other outstanding issues, such as a recruitment and retention bonus for long service employees, that weren’t contained in the offer,” says Power. Power says, “After concluding this round of bargaining, it is quite clear to us that Bill 37 is designed to tilt the balance of power in favour of employers in the health care and community services sector.”

Jan 7, 2016

CUPE congratulates Brianne Cannon for being voted “Best Nurse” in

Regina.

The Leader-Post (Regina) Sat Sep 17 2016

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region (RQHR) will be issuing layoff notices after a two-year review of staffing in 117 round-the-clock care units. To get to a balanced budget, the region must reduce 120 full-time equivalent positions, but much of that will be accomplished by cutting casual work from part-timers and attrition. Fewer than 20 people are expected to lose their jobs, but all positions are being considered, said Keith Dewar, CEO of the RQHR. "(Attrition has) been our commitment all along," Dewar said. "Our interest here is providing quality, safe care. Our second obligation to the public is to do so in a way that shows responsibility for the funds that we've been entrusted."

The RQHR's annual budget is more than $1 billion. As of August, it had a $4.7-million deficit. The RQHR has 11,000 staffand an eight per cent attrition rate, which means roughly 800 employees leave yearly. "By the time we have the meetings with the unions and go through the formal process, we don't believe in some cases some of the numbers we're looking at right now would be given layoffnotice," Dewar said. While some front-line healthcare workers will be among those receiving layoffnotices, they will be able to bump to another position under their collective agreements.

May 15, 2014

REGINA - CUPE is marking Nursing Week by launching an ad campaign celebrating the role Licensed Practical Nurses play in providing quality, hands-on care in the province of Saskatchewan. "Licensed Practical Nurses play a critical role in the delivery of health care," said Gordon Campbell, President of the CUPE Saskatchewan Health Council. "They provide hands-on nursing care to patients at the hospital bedisde, to residents in special care homes, to our seniors in home care, and also provide key support for community health initiatives." LPNs are skilled nurses who have been trained and accredited to providing a wide range of medical assessments and procedures. They are valuable members of the health care team, but unfortunately, their role is often misunderstood.

But it's unlikely that the BCNU's RN membership would embrace the Manitoba model. That's because top of scale hospital-based RNs earn $3.85 an hour less in Manitoba than their counterparts in B.C.

There's just no way that RNs in B.C. would allow their wages to stagnate or be rolled back in order to close the wage gap between RNs and LPNs. Instead, HEU has looked to Alberta as an example for moving our independent profession forward.

Alberta has introduced curriculum changes and a restricted activities model that provides LPNs with more independence and expanded utilization. The result? Alberta's LPNs have significantly higher wages than either Manitoba or B.C.