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Practice Corner: How Many Practice Hours Are Needed to Maintain Registration?
Registrants and other stakeholders can contact the Practice Department at the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) to receive clarification on Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) practice.
In Practice Corner, we’ll share some frequently asked questions and our answers.
Practice Corner: How Many Practice Hours Are Needed to Maintain Registration?
In order to be registered in Alberta, LPNs must participate in the CLPNA’s Continuing Competence Program (CCP). Continuing competence activities consist of learning and practice hours. LPNs must maintain their currency of practice, which is most commonly demonstrated through:
- evidence of a minimum of 1,000 practice hours providing professional nursing services to non-family members during the previous four registration years, or
- graduation from a practical nurse diploma program or refresher program in the last four registration years.
What Is Considered a Professional Nursing Service?
A professional service is defined in the Health Professions Act as a service that falls within the practice of a regulated profession. For LPNs, this includes the following, from Schedule 10 of the Health Professions Act:
- applying nursing knowledge, skills, and judgment to assess patients’ needs;
- providing nursing care for patients and families;
- teaching, managing, and conducting research in the science, techniques, and practice of nursing; and
- providing restricted activities authorized by the regulations.
The CLPNA’s Nursing Practice Self-Assessment Tool helps determine whether their role provides “nursing services” according to the Health Professions Act and the CLPNA’s policies.
How Are Practice Hours Evaluated?
Practice hour submissions are evaluated based on risk to the public. This is assessed in the context of an individual’s entire registration application.
Some equivalencies, including formal continuing education, may be considered. Exemptions on human rights grounds (covered under the Alberta Human Rights Act) may also be granted. This includes maternity, paternity, and disability leave and other factors.