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PRACTICAL NURSINGCOMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

July 2015

AGM and Annual CLPNM Awards Dinner Held in Winnipeg June 1, 2015

2Practical Nursing | July 2015 | College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba

2015 Offi ce Closure Dates

August 3, 2015

September 7, 2015

October 12, 2015

November 11, 2015

College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba463 St. Anne’s RoadWinnipeg, MB R2M 3C9Telephone: (204) 663-1212Toll Free: 1-877-663-1212Fax: (204) 663-1207Email: [email protected]

Publications Agreement #40013238

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fragrance-Free NoticeIn response to health concerns, CLPNM has a Fragrance-Free Policy and is a scent-free environment. Please do not use scented products while on the CLPNM premises for work, education, appointments, or other business.

PRESIDENTCheryl Geisel LPN

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDistrict I – Elisa Wiebe LPNDistrict II – VacantDistrict III – Rodney Hintz LPNDistrict IV – Lindsay Maryniuk LPNDistrict V – Jodi La France LPNDistrict VI – Patricia Smythe LPNPublic Members – Darlene Barbe

– Tricia Conroy– Judy Harapiak– Diwa Marcelino– Susan Swan

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORJennifer Breton LPN, RN, BN

EXECUTIVE OFFICEVicky BeringExecutive Assistant

Barbara Palz, HB Com, CGABusiness Manager

Renata Neufeld, BA (Hons), MPAConsultant, Policy, Process and Communications

REGISTRATION DEPARTMENTCarrie Funk, LPNConsultant, Regulatory Services

Dina BeringAdministrative Assistant

CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT DEPARTMENTKathy Halligan, BA (Hons), CTESL, CACEConsultant, Credential Assessment

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCTDEPARTMENTCristie Perfas, BScN, RN, MN, GNC (C)Consultant, Conduct

PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE DEPARTMENTTracy Olson, LPNConsultant, Practice

EDUCATION AND PROGRAM EVALUATION DEPARTMENTMichael Roach, BScNConsultant, Education and Program Evaluation

ADVERTISINGTo advertise in the Practical Nursing Journal, please contact:

McCrone Publications Inc.Email: [email protected] Free: 1-800-727-0782Fax: 1-866-413-9328

Offi ce closed 2:00pm December 23, 2015 and re-opens 9:30am January 4, 2016.

President’s Message 3

2016 Registration Renewal 8

2017 Preauthorized Payment Plan 9

2015/2016 Fee Schedule 10

Legal Issues in Nursing: Assessment 12

Ask a Practice Consultant 16

Wanted: CCP Auditors 18

2014 Continuing Competence Program Audit Report 19

Have You Been Accepted into a Practical Nursing Program in Manitoba?

24


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As the newly-elected President of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) I look forward to upholding the mission, values and duty of the CLPNM in my new role. My name is Cheryl Geisel, and I was elected President of the CLPNM Board on June 1, 2015. I am a licensed practical nurse living and working in Dauphin, MB. I was previously employed at our local medical clinic, the Dr. Gendreau PCH in Ste. Rose, MB, and I am currently with the DRHC, with 13 years of nursing experience in medicine, surgery, post-partum maternal care, pediatrics, and geriatrics. I served on the Board of Directors for 2 years prior to my appointment as its President. It is an honour and privilege to serve as President, and I thank the Board for the opportunity.

I would also like to thank our outgoing President, Christy Froese, for her three years of service, and for her previous commitment as a member of the Board and various CLPNM committees. Christy’s presence, dedication and leadership will be missed. As well, thank you to departing Board member Yvonne Maguet for her service. We look forward to having her expertise on the CLPNM Continuing Competence Committee.

I also wish to congratulate our new LPN graduates as they venture forth in their new careers. I invite all new and existing members to consider becoming involved in the self-regulation of the practical nursing profession. Self-regulation is a privilege and responsibility granted to the profession, recognizing that practical nurses are in the best position to hold one another accountable for providing safe and eff ective care that serves the interests of the public. You can get involved by serving as a CLPNM Board or committee member, by acting as a continuing competence program (CCP) or practice auditor, or even just by attending a CLPNM Quarterly Board Meeting, and/or our Annual General Meeting to vote on motions and share your voice as a member of the profession.

It is hard to believe that the 69th Annual General Meeting and Excellence Awards dinner has come and gone. Here are some highlights from the event, which was held at the Viscount Gort Hotel in Winnipeg on June 1, 2015.

69th CLPNM Annual General Meeting Highlights

The rules of procedure were presented and approved. Vera Chernecki was the parliamentarian for the proceedings.

The Credentials Report was:Voting: 11Non-Voting: 18

Board Members for the 2016 year were introduced. They are: President – Cheryl Geisel LPNDistrict I – Elisa Wiebe LPNDistrict II – VacantDistrict III – Rodney Hintz LPNDistrict IV – Lindsay Maryniuk LPNDistrict V – Jodi La France LPNDistrict VI – Patricia Smythe LPN

Public Members:Tricia ConroyJudy HarapiakDiwa MarcelinoDarlene BarbeSusan Swan

Annual Report

Tony Gauthier CA, of Craig and Ross Chartered Accountants, presented the 2014 audited statements. The 2014 auditor’s report was adopted as presented.

Cheryl Geisel, LPN


Previous Wording Approved June 1, 2015

2.7 Associate Members

Associate members shall include the following categories; non-practicing and honorary members, as defi ned by registration policies.

The current 2.7 would be deleted and replaced with:

2.7 Honorary Members

The Board may confer honorary memberships upon any individual, in accordance with Board policies.

3.2 Term of Offi ce

a] Subject to subsection 3.3, the term of offi ce of all Board members except the President shall be two years.

b] Appointed Board members, who are not members of the College and subject to the Act, may serve indefi nite two (2) year terms at the discretion of the Board.

c] The President shall provide written notice of his/her intent to seek re-election or intent to resign at the spring Board meeting, 1 year prior to that event.

d] The Vice-President’s term of offi ce will be determined by the Board upon appointment.

3.2 Term of Offi ce

a] Subject to subsection 3.3, the term of offi ce of all elected Board members shall be two years; however, the incumbent may continue to hold offi ce upon completion of a term until a successor is elected or, if required, subject to 3.8, appointed by the Board.

b] The President may serve more than one term but not more than three consecutive terms; however, the President may continue to hold offi ce upon completion of a term until a successor is appointed or elected by the Board.

c] Before the end of the two year term, the incumbent President shall provide written notice of his/her intent to seek re-election or intent to resign.

d] Appointed Board members, who are not members of the College and subject to the Act, may serve indefi nite two (2) year terms at the discretion of the Board.

e] The Vice-President’s term of offi ce will be determined by the Board upon appointment.

3.3 Eligibility to Hold Offi ce

a] Registrants on the register of practising licensed practical nurses who are in good standing shall be eligible for election or re-election to the Board, with the following exceptions:

i. employees of the College; or

ii. individuals who hold offi ce on the Board of a nursing bargaining unit.

b] If an elected registrant ceases to be a practising licensed practical nurse, they shall cease to be a member of the Board.

c] Board members seeking election to the position of President shall:

i. Declare in writing their intention to run for offi ce at the spring Board meeting prior to the annual meeting.

ii. Submit a resume.

iii. Provide evidence their nomination has been supported by at least three Board members.

d] The President shall be eligible for re-election for indefi nite terms at the discretion of the Board.

e] The Vice-President must be a member of the Board to be eligible for the nominations.

3.3 Eligibility to Hold Offi ce

a] Registrants on the register of practising licensed practical nurses who are in good standing shall be eligible for election or re-election to the Board, with the following exceptions:

i. Employees of the College; or

ii. Individuals who hold offi ce on the Board of a nursing bargaining unit.

b] If an elected registrant ceases to be a practising licensed practical nurse, they shall cease to be a member of the Board.

c] Board members seeking election to the position of President shall:

i. Declare in writing their intention to run for offi ce at the spring Board meeting prior to the annual meeting.

ii. Submit a resume.

iii. Provide evidence their nomination has been supported by at least three Board members.

d] The Vice-President must be a member of the Board to be eligible for the nominations.



3.7 Meetings

d] Written notice of meetings of the Board, stating the business to be transacted, shall be given to each Director not less than fi fteen (15) calendar days before the meeting. Notice of any meeting or any irregularity in any meeting notice may be waived by any Director.

3.7 Meetings

d] Written notice of meetings of the Board, stating the business to be transacted, shall be given to each Director not less than fourteen (14) calendar days before the meeting. Notice of any meeting or any irregularity in any meeting notice may be waived by any Director.

3.8 Vacancies

a] If a Board member resigns, or dies, or is suspended and is removed from the Board, the Board shall declare the offi ce vacated and may appoint a successor, in the manner hereinafter set out, to hold offi ce until the end of the current term of offi ce.

b] Vacancies on the Board, so long as a quorum of Board members remains in offi ce, shall be fi lled in the manner hereinafter set out:

i. Vacancies among the offi cers shall be fi lled by appointment by the Board of a then incumbent Board member.

ii. If an elected Director is elected to the offi ce of President or Vice-President, the Board shall declare the Director’s position vacant and shall order that a by-election be held within the electoral district.

iii. If there is a Vice-President, that person shall fi ll the vacancy in the offi ce of President for the remainder of the predecessors’ term.

iv. A vacancy among the Directors in the fi rst year of the vacating Director’s term shall be fi lled by calling a by-election in the electoral health district from which the vacancy occurred.

v. A vacancy among the Directors in the second year of the vacating Director’s term shall be fi lled by appointment by the Board.

c] A vacancy that cannot be fi lled by a member in the electoral health district from which the vacancy occurs; the Board shall fi ll that vacancy by appointment.

d] If vacancies on the Board number such that there is not a quorum of elected Directors remaining, the remaining Board Directors shall be forthwith call an election to fi ll the vacancies.

3.8 Vacancies

Add:

e] In the event that the President position becomes vacant before the end of a term; if there is a Vice-President appointed, they shall assume the role of President for the remainder of the predecessor’s term. If there is no Vice-President, the Board shall convene and appoint a new President subject to Article 3 of the College By-laws.

Delete 3.8 b(iii)



Article IV – Duties of Offi cers

4.1 The President

a] The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board and the annual or special meetings, within the term elected. The President shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into eff ect.

b] The President shall submit a report for the year to the registrants at the annual meeting, and report to the Board, matters which in the interest of the College may be required to be brought to the Board’s attention.

c] An elected Director could fulfi ll the President’s duties in his/her absence.

4.2 The Vice-President

a] The Vice-President is voted by and from the Board when required by the Board.

b] The Vice-President works under the direction of the President.

c] The Vice-President performs the duties in the absence or inability of the President.

d] The Vice-President performs such duties as may be assigned by the President or the Board.

Add:

4.3 Executive Director

a] The Executive Director shall be a licensed practical nurse appointed by and responsible to the Board.

b] The Executive Director shall:

i. Be an ex offi cio, non-voting member of the Board.

ii. Be an ex offi cio, non-voting member of the College.

iii. Be an ex offi cio, non-voting member of all committees of the College with the exception of the Investigation Committee and the Discipline Committee.

c] The Executive Director shall act as treasurer of the College, including:

i. Keeping all records of the College, including a record of all meetings of the College and not the Board.

ii. Issuing all notices required by statute, by the By-laws, or by resolution of the Board.

iii. Having custody of the seal of the College.

e] The Executive Director is authorized to prescribe such forms, certifi cates or other documents as may be required for the purposes of the Act, Regulations, or the By-laws.

f] In accordance with 6(6) of The Licensed Practical Nurses Act, the Executive Director may appoint any other staff necessary to perform the work of the College. The Executive Director shall set out the duties and remuneration for these staff in accordance with the policies and guidelines set by the Board.

CLPNM Excellence Awards

Three LPNs were selected to receive Excellence Awards from the CLPNM Board of Directors. Congratulations to the following award recipients: May Schultz, Maureen Gove and Dianne Kolesar.

Nursing Practice Award

The 2015 recipient was May Schultz. May has been employed with Actionmarguerite since April of 2011, where she currently holds an internal fl oat position and works on all seven units within the facility. May was nominated by her manager who noted her integrity, commitment to excellence, respect for cultural diversity, and strengths in critical thinking and clinical reasoning.


Nursing Mentor and Preceptor Award

The 2015 recipient was Maureen Grove. Maureen has practiced as an LPN at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg since 1996, and has been the Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinator at the facility since February, 2008. Maureen was nominated for her role in supporting the adoption and success of the MDS by demonstrating initiative, leadership and a commitment to ongoing learning.

Educator Award

The 2015 recipient was Dianne Kolesar. Diane is the Nursing Lab and Theory Instructor at Assiniboine Community College. She was nominated by her students who value her approach to teaching, her talent for keeping her students engaged, and her willingness to support them even outside of dedicated classroom hours.

The 2015 Nursing Practice award recipient, May Schultz and CLPNM President Cheryl Geisel.

Cheryl Geisel President and former CLPNM President Christy Froese.

The 2015 Nursing Educator award recipient, Dianne Kolesar and CLPNM President Cheryl Geisel.

Cheryl Geisel President, CLPNM Executive Director Jennifer Breton, and former CLPNM President Christy Froese.

The 2015 Nursing Mentor/Preceptor award recipient, Maureen Grove and CLPNM President Cheryl Geisel.

Licensed Practical Nurses Foundation of Manitoba (LPNFM) Scholarships

The following fi rst-year Practical Nursing (PN) students were awarded LPNFM Scholarships in the amount of $500:

• Reesa Atnikov

• Meladie Chaikowsky

• Stephanie Martel

The following second-year PN students were awarded LPNFM Scholarships in the amount of $1000:

• Reanna Wallcraft

• Susan Haverstock

• Yaroslava Lupanchuk


It is time once again for registration renewal with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM). The 2016 renewal season opens August 15, 2015, and the administrative deadline for renewal is October 15, 2015.

2016 REGISTRATION RENEWAL

It is important to note that active practicing registration expires on November 30, 2015. After this date, registrants cannot practice as an LPN unless their license has been approved by the CLPNM for the coming year. The privilege of using the title Licensed Practical Nurse is sanctioned, and as such only those who hold current active practicing registration are permitted to use the designation or work in that capacity.

RENEW EARLY! All renewal applications must be assessed and processed by the CLPNM prior to being granted approval. Early renewal will allow the CLPNM time to contact you should there be an issue with your application. A complete 2016 registration renewal application includes:

• an accurate and completed renewal application via the CLPNM’s online registration system;

• projected practice hours for the period from December 1, 2014 to November 30, 2015;

• a declaration of participation in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP);

• full payment of all applicable fees, and

• full payment of any outstanding amounts owed to the CLPNM.

Please note that the CLPNM may contact you prior to approving your renewal to request additional information. All follow-up documents must be received before the administrative deadline of October 15 or late fees will apply.

All registrants applying to renew their registration must comply with the CCP requirements. Information regarding the CCP is available on the CLPNM website.

Registrants who are required to submit verifi cation of hours and/or who have been randomly selected to participate in the CCP audit will not have their registration renewal approved until the required documents have been received by the CLPNM. It is the registrant’s responsibility to ensure these documents, in their entirety, have been received by the CLPNM.

October 16, 2015 – November 30, 2015

If a complete 2016 registration renewal application, requested documents or requirements (if applicable), and/or the associated fees are not received by the CLPNM by October 15, 2015, late fees will apply ($105.00). Late fees are in addition to the registration renewal fee and are not part of the Preauthorized Payment Plan (PPP) withdrawals. Applications will not be processed and renewals will not be approved until all fees are paid in full. It is the registrant’s responsibility to ensure all requirements have been met.

December 1, 2015 – December 14, 2015

Registrants who have not completed the renewal process in its entirety by November 30, 2015, as per LPN Regulation 22(1), are considered to be in default and are no longer authorized to practice as an LPN in Manitoba. Individuals who practice as an LPN without current registration are subject to an unauthorized practice penalty fee and may be referred to the CLPNM’s Investigation Committee for professional misconduct. Registrants who miss the November 30th deadline may reactivate their registration between December 1, 2015 and December 14, 2015. Registrants must submit the online renewal application form, provide any outstanding documentation or requirements, as well as pay the following fees:


• 2016 registration renewal fee of $388.50

• Administrative late fee of $105.00

• Default reactivation fee of $131.25

• Unauthorized practice fee (if applicable) of $525.00

After December 15, 2015

Registration is cancelled for all registrants who have not completed the renewal process in its entirety by December 15, 2015. The registrant is now considered a former member of CLPNM. If a former member wishes to regain active practicing registration after this date, they must begin the reinstatement process.

Verifi cation of Registration Status

Registrants can verify their registration status by visiting the CLPNM website and selecting “Find an LPN” on the homepage. This link will lead the user to the Public Register where all LPNs with active practicing registration can be searched by entering a name or registration number. Employers can verify registration status by accessing the CLPNM’s Employer Verifi cation System, also located under the “Find an LPN” link on the website.

Resignations

If you are retiring or resigning from the profession for the 2016 registration year, please log into the online renewal system during renewal time and change your status to former member. It is important for the CLPNM to maintain records of retirements and resignations for the purposes of health human resources planning and in the case of a public health emergency.

Payment Options

Acceptable methods of payment include Visa, MasterCard, Visa debit, money order or debit (in person at the CLPNM offi ce). Cheques and cash are not accepted.

Registration renewal applications will not be approved until the required funds have been received by the CLPNM. Any dishonored payments will be subject to an administrative fee.

If you are enrolled in the PPP, are in good standing and renew your registration online before October 15, 2015, further payment will not be required. It is the registrant’s responsibility to remain informed of any outstanding payment requirements.

Receipt Information

You can access your receipt for income tax purposes by logging into your profi le on the CLPNM website and clicking on the receipts tab.

How to Access the Online Registration Renewal System

A step-by-step renewal guide will be available on the CLPNM website when the registration year opens August 15, 2015.

To renew your registration, go to www.clpnm.ca and login using your User ID (registration number) and your password, which remains the same as last year unless you have changed it. If you have been selected for the CCP audit, you will be notifi ed when you login to the online registration renewal system.

If you have any questions about renewing your 2016 registration, please contact the CLPNM at (204) 663-1212, toll free at 1-877-663-1212, or by email at [email protected].

Pay your 2017 fees in advance through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba’s (CLPNM’s) Preauthorized Payment Plan (PPP). This option is available to active practising registrants who wish to pay for upcoming registration fees through automatic bank debit.

Automatic withdrawals for 2017 fees will be ten equal payments of $38.85 based on the current annual fee. The payments will begin November 15, 2015 and are withdrawn monthly up to and including August 15, 2016.

If you are already enrolled in the plan and wish to continue there is nothing you need to do.

2017 PREAUTHORIZED PAYMENT PLANIf you wish to join, a PPP application must be completed and submitted to the CLPNM offi ce in person, by mail to 463 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2M 3C9 or by fax (204) 663-1207. The completed application may also be emailed to [email protected].

Application forms are available on the Fee Schedule page of the College website at www.clpnm.ca.

If you have any questions regarding the PPP, please contact Barbara Palz, Business Manager at [email protected] or (204) 663-1212.


2015/2016 FEE SCHEDULE

Amount GST Total

Active Practicing Registration Renewal Fee (by Oct 15) $370.00 $18.50 $388.50

Oct 16 - Nov 30 (add late fi ling administration fee 100.00) $470.00 $23.50 $493.50

Dec 1 - Dec 15 (add default re-activation fee 125.00) $595.00 $29.75 $624.75

After December 15 cancelled (add re-instatement fee 150.00) $745 .00 $37.25 $782.25

Application for Enrolment, Active Practising Registration $470.00 $23.50 $493.50

Includes Practising fee of 370.00 and Initial Enrolment of 100.0

Graduate Registration Fee $100.00 $5.00 $105.00

Graduate Registration Renewal Fee $100.00 $5.00 $105.00

Student Registration Fee $50.00 $2.50 $52.50

Student Registration Renewal Fee (2nd year) $50.00 $2.50 $52.50

Late fi ling administrative fee - Grad and student $50.00 $2.50 $52.50

Exam Fee (CPNRE) $400.00 $20.00 $420.00

Late Filing Administrative Fee - Exam $50.00 $2.50 $52.50

DNW - Did Not Write $75.00 $3.75 $78.75

Re-scoring Exam Fee $75.00 $3.75 $78.75

Credential Assessment

IEN Credential Assessment $420.00 $21.00 $441.00

Re-assessment fee $150.00 $7.50 $157.50

File extension fee $150.00 $7.50 $157.50

Endorsement (currently registered in another province) $300.00 $15.00 $315.00

Educational Session (required by order of Investigation/Discipline) $300.00 $15.00 $315.00

Unauthorized Practice Penalty $500.00 $25.00 $525.00

Non-Negotiable Transaction Fee $50.00 $0.00 $50.00

Administrative Fees

Processing Fee $75.00 $3.75 $78.75

Verifi cations $75.00 $3.75 $78.75

Appeal of Registration decision $200.00 $10.00 $210.00

Payment options: Visa, MasterCard, Debit, Money Order

Pre-authorized Payment Plan (PPP) 10 payments of $38.85 on the 15th of each month from Nov/15 - Aug/16


The fi rst article in this series (CLPNM PN Journal, April 2015) included a case study about a medical malpractice lawsuit involving a lack of communication. You may recall 17-year-old Will Johnston whose right tibia was fractured when he was hit by a car. The tibia was successfully repaired, but post-operatively Will developed severe pain in his leg and became confused and irritable. The nurses caring for him documented signs of weakness and changes to the colour, warmth, sensation and movement in his right foot, but they failed to communicate this information to the doctor. Will was ultimately diagnosed with compartment syndrome, had a below-the-knee amputation, and fi led a multimillion dollar lawsuit, suing both the nurses and doctors for the loss of his leg. When the nursing care was examined, it was determined that the nurses had failed to meet the standard of care in two key areas: by not communicating important clinical information to the doctor and by not assessing Will’s leg according to hospital policy. This article will focus on the issue of nursing assessments; more specifi cally, medical malpractice lawsuits claiming that the nurse performed inadequate assessments.

All nurses are tasked with the responsibility of providing safe, ethical and competent care. We are also responsible and accountable to ensure that our practice meets both professional standards and legal requirements. This requires that patient assessments are done according to doctors’ orders, current standards of

care, best practice guidelines, facility policy, and most importantly according to each patient’s individual condition. The court’s view is that nurses have a specialized body of knowledge and that they are expected to use critical thinking to respond appropriately to information obtained through their assessments. In some situations, nurses are required to assess patients without the assistance of subjective information, such as during periods of sleep, recovery from anesthesia, in pediatric care or when working with unconscious or mentally compromised patients. But in all situations, the expectation is that if the patient’s condition changes, so will the detail and frequency of nursing assessments. This means that you may need to assess patients more frequently if they become unstable or develop complications. Seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it?

Many medical malpractice lawsuits include allegations that the nurse did not assess the patient often enough or that they didn’t assess them at all. You may be familiar with the saying ‘nothing written, nothing done.’ Many nurses are. This saying comes from a 1974 Supreme Court of Canada case called Kolesar vs. Jeff ries. Although it is often used in reference to a lack of nursing documentation, it’s really based on a lack of nursing assessment. The case involved a young man who had a spinal fusion and was returned to the surgical unit in satisfactory condition. The next morning he was found dead. There were no written entries in the medical record between 10 p.m. and 5

LEGAL ISSUES IN NURSING: ASSESSMENT

This article was originally published in CARE Magazine, Fall 2014 issue, by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (www.clpna.com). Reprinted with permission.

Article written by: Chris Rokosh, RN, PNC(C), Legal Nurse Consultant and president of CanLNC Incorporated; he is a popular speaker on legal issues in nursing across Canada and in the US.

a.m. on the morning when his death was discovered. The nurse testifi ed in court that she had measured pulse and respiration rates every half hour over night, and that they were always normal. She just hadn’t written anything down. But the absence of documentation led the judge to believe that nothing was charted because nothing was done. This highlights both the importance of performing assessments according to the standards of care, and the necessity of documenting that you have done so. Let’s learn more about this issue by examining a case study involving the assessment of a patient on a medical unit.

CASE STUDY

At 2:30 p.m., a 47-year-old woman named Margaret arrived in the emergency department complaining of a sudden onset of upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. She came to the hospital directly from the airport after spending two weeks at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. Her medical history was signifi cant for hypertension and chronic back pain. She was a smoker and admitted to occasional heavy alcohol use, especially in the past two weeks. Surgical history included a tonsillectomy many years ago, a hysterectomy 6 years ago and dental surgery. Current medications included vitamins, hormone replacement therapy, Tylenol #3 (for back pain), and Labetalol (to control blood pressure). Her vital signs on admission were temperature 37.8 degrees, BP 176/88 mmHg, pulse 90 beats per minute and respirations


24 breaths per minute. Laboratory tests revealed an elevated white blood cell count and an elevated serum amylase. Her abdomen was tender and slightly rigid. Margaret was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and admitted to the medical unit. The doctor provided orders for IV fl uids, antibiotics, additional lab and diagnostic testing, and consultation with an internist. Margaret was to remain NPO overnight and provided with medication orders to control pain and nausea. Vital signs were ordered as per protocol.

At 8:45 p.m., Margaret arrived on the medical unit and was assigned to LPN Amy who was working a 12 hour night shift. Nurse Amy performed an initial physical assessment and completed the admission paperwork. Margaret denied having any pain or nausea. Temperature remained at 37.8 degrees. BP was 168/90 mmHg, pulse was 84 beats per minute and respirations were 22 breaths per minute. Nurse Amy oriented Margaret to her room, reminded her that she was NPO and showed her how to use the call bell. She also gave Margaret a warm blanket, settled her into bed and encouraged her to get some sleep.

At 10:20 p.m., Nurse Amy returned to Margaret’s room to change her IV bag and check her vital signs. Temperature was now 37.0 degrees, BP was 102/58 mmHg and pulse was 116 beats per minute. Respirations were not measured. Margaret again denied having pain or nausea, but complained of feeling cold. Nurse Amy gave her another warm blanket and encouraged Margaret to use her call bell if she needed anything during the night.

Between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., Nurse Amy documented that she performed Q1H rounds and that Margaret appeared to be sleeping with quiet, easy respirations. She also noted that the IV was infusing as ordered. Margaret did not ring her call bell or get up to use the bathroom overnight.

At 6:15 a.m., Nurse Amy entered Margaret’s room to check her vital signs. When Nurse Amy touched Margaret’s arm, she noted that her skin felt cool to the touch. Although Margaret opened her eyes when she was spoken to, she did not respond to the questions Nurse Amy asked her. Nurse Amy was unable to obtain a blood pressure or temperature and the pulse felt weak. Respirations were shallow and Margaret was breathing at a rate of 6 breaths per minute. Nurse Amy left the room to get another blood pressure monitor, thinking that the one she had wasn’t working right. But she wasn’t able to obtain a reading on the second machine either. She then rang the call bell and asked the charge nurse to come to the room. By the time the charge nurse arrived, Margaret had lost consciousness and stopped breathing.

At 6:27 a.m., a Code Blue was called. Margaret was resuscitated, intubated and taken to the ICU. Her remaining hospital stay was long and complicated, and included a diagnosis of sepsis, three laparotomies to remove sections of ischemic bowel, pneumonia and a brain injury due to prolonged hypoxia. Fifteen months after her hospitalization, she was still unable to return to work as an accountant and had developed insulin-dependent diabetes. It was uncertain that she would ever be able to return to full-time employment. Margaret fi led a lawsuit against the hospital claiming, among other things, that Nurse Amy had failed to assess her vital signs properly during the fi rst night of her admission. Margaret claimed that Nurse Amy was expected to know that a decrease in BP accompanied by a rise in the pulse rate can indicate the onset of shock in a patient with pancreatitis. She also claimed that Nurse Amy was required to communicate the 10:20 p.m. vital signs to the charge nurse or the doctor, alleging that earlier medical intervention could have prevented, or lessened, her injuries.

Do you think Nurse Amy met the standard of care?

Pancreatitis is an infl ammation of the pancreas, the large gland behind the stomach that is responsible for the release of digestive enzymes into the small intestine and the release of insulin or glucagon into the bloodstream. Pancreatic infl ammation happens when the digestive enzymes are activated before they are released into the intestine and begin attacking the pancreas itself. The most common causes are gall stones and chronic alcohol use. There are two forms of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis aff ects approximately one per cent of the population (Lam and Lombard, 1999) and about 70 per cent of attacks are mild. However, of those individuals who develop severe forms of the disease, one in four will die (Forrest et al, 1995).

The main symptom of pancreatitis is a sudden onset of abdominal pain in the epigastric region that may radiate to the back and be associated with nausea and vomiting (Alexander et al, 2000). A serum amylase more than four times the upper limit is diagnostic of pancreatitis. Physically, the patient may appear acutely unwell with signs of shock, abdominal tenderness and guarding or rigidity (Henry and Thompson, 2001). The nursing plan of care includes the administration of analgesia, antibiotics and anti-nausea medications, IV fl uids, accurate measurement of intake and output, and regular observation of vital signs. In the acute stage, it may be necessary to take the patient’s blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respirations every hour and respond to the results accordingly. Signs and symptoms of septic or hypovolemic shock, such as falling BP, rising pulse, lack of urinary output and decreased temperature must be reported immediately due to the risk of injury to the patient.

The lawyer representing Margaret in the lawsuit retained a nursing


expert to review the medical records and determine whether or not Nurse Amy had met the standard of care. The reviewing nurse discovered that at 10:20 p.m., Nurse Amy had drawn a small downward arrow next to the blood pressure and a small upward arrow beside the pulse. This indicated that Nurse Amy recognized that the blood pressure had fallen and that the pulse had risen, yet she had failed to reassess the vital signs until nearly 8 hours later. When Nurse Amy was asked why she didn’t reassess Margaret’s vital signs, she referred to the doctor’s orders which said to monitor vital signs as per protocol and the unit policy, which said to assess vital signs QID. She said that Margaret had looked tired and unwell at 10:20 p.m. and said that it was important for her to get some rest. She also said that she had never looked after a patient with pancreatitis.

The nurse expert responded that hospital policies provide minimum guidelines for assessment, and that a doctor’s orders can only be altered if the doctor is made aware of a change in the patient’s

condition. She also said that regardless of Nurse Amy’s inexperience with pancreatitis, it is the expected knowledge of all nurses that unstable vital signs in an acutely-ill patient can indicate impending decompensation. The nurse expert stated that patients can present as stable, but very quickly become unstable, and that there are no hospital policies or doctors’ orders that can adequately cover all of the emergency situations that develop on medical units. For that reason, nurses are required to use critical thinking in situations involving the risk of injury, and to assess patients more frequently based on their clinical condition. She confi rmed that a nurse does not need a doctor’s order or change in hospital policy to assess vital signs more frequently than ordered. Her opinion was that Nurse Amy failed to meet the standard of care by not revising the plan of care to include reassessment of Margaret’s vital signs within 15 to 30 minutes and urgent communication with the charge nurse or the doctor no later than 10:30 p.m. This case settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money.

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WALKING THROUGH GRIEF–Helping Others Deal with Loss

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TRAUMA–Strategies for Resolving the Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress

Winnipeg: October 15-16, 2015

GENDER & SEXUAL IDENTITY IN YOUTH

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Start a Conversation

Use this case study to spark a conversation on nursing assessment with your colleagues. Note any similarities between this case and the Kolesar vs. Jeff ries judgement, which sparked the ‘nothing written, nothing done’ saying that we are all so familiar with. Were you able to identify issues with both communication and assessment? How would you rate the level of nursing assessments in your workplace? Have you ever witnessed, or been part of a situation, where a lack of assessment caused a problem? Did the patient suff er as a result? What currently guides your patient assessments? Is it doctors’ orders, hospital policy, what the charge nurse says, the ‘culture’ on your unit or the patient’s clinical condition? What will you do diff erently now that you know the outcome of this case? Want to learn more? Watch for more articles in future CLPNM PN Journals!


Answer:

While both organizations may share the goal of quality patient care, there is a fundamental diff erence between the role of a regulatory body and that of a professional association. LPNs must understand the diff erences in these roles in order to identify when a guideline is optional, and when it sets out professional practice obligations.

A regulatory body is mandated to govern its members in a manner that protects the public interest. The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) is the only regulatory body with the authority to regulate practical nursing in Manitoba. The CLPNM Board of Directors is comprised of active Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and public representatives who are tasked with overseeing this authority. This authority is derived from The Licensed Practical Nurses Act (the Act).

The CLPNM is accountable to the public. It is responsible for ensuring that practical nurses provide safe, competent and ethical nursing care to Manitobans. It establishes entry-to-practice criteria; grants registration to qualifi ed applicants; establishes and monitors standards of education, practice, and ethics; ensures

continuing competence; and oversees the conduct of practical nurses. The right to practice as a practical nurse in Manitoba requires membership in, and compliance with the directives of, the CLPNM.

All LPNs in Manitoba are expected to understand and adhere to the professional obligations set out in the Act, and in the CLPNM’s Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and Regulatory Bulletins. These documents collectively establish the professional standards for the practical nursing profession. Any LPN who does not practice consistently with these requirements may be investigated and sanctioned by the CLPNM.

Professional associations play a diff erent role. Often, they exist to support the goals and interests of their members. An association may provide networking opportunities, publish information of relevance to an area of practice, and arrange professional development opportunities. An association might also advocate on behalf of its members and advance awareness of the contribution the profession can make in pursuit of improved health care and policy planning.

ASK A PRACTICE CONSULTANT

Question: I belong to a nursing association that relates to my domain of practice. My association has developed guidelines for practice and education. Am I obligated to follow these guidelines? What are my obligations if the guidelines are inconsistent with the professional practice obligations established by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba?

While membership in a professional association is not mandatory, it may off er a wealth of information and professional connections, as well as a venue for sharing perspectives, experiences and practice resources. Membership in an association demonstrates a desire to learn and a dedication to professional growth.

While associations can play an important role in supporting quality practice, LPNs must be aware that no professional association has any regulatory authority over the profession of practical nursing in Manitoba. An LPN may choose to adopt a guideline issued by a professional association; however, if that guideline is in confl ict with a professional or legal obligation, the CLPNM will hold the nurse accountable for complying with the professional or legal obligation.

Any LPN who has questions on this topic is encouraged to contact the Practice Consultant with the CLPNM at 204-663-1212 or 1-877-663-1212 toll free.

To review the Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics and Regulatory Bulletins, please visit www.clpnm.ca.


The annual Continuing Competence Program (CCP) audit is dependent upon active practicing licensed practical nurses’ (LPN) participation.

Auditors are active practicing LPNs who are responsible for assessing submitted CCP materials. Appointed auditors are provided support and clear guidelines regarding their duties with the peer auditing process.

As a self-regulating professional, contributing to the work of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) off ers opportunities for LPNs to continue to meet their practice standards in addition to off ering a resume-building opportunity.

The CCP audit occurs in three phases every year from January to April. Auditors spend 1 to 3 days auditing during each phase. CCP auditors are compensated for time spent auditing.

If you are interested in serving as a CCP auditor, please submit your resume to:

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba 463 St. Anne’s Road Winnipeg, MB R2M 3C9

Or by email at [email protected]

For further information, please contact the CLPNM at (204) 663-1212.

WANTED: CCP AUDITORS


2014 CONTINUING COMPETENCE PROGRAM AUDIT REPORT

The mission of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) is to protect and serve Manitobans through eff ective, transparent, objective, and supportive nursing regulation. As professionalism is a core value of the CLPNM, providing nursing regulation that supports individual nurses to continuously improve their skills, knowledge, and expertise is of upmost importance, so that licensed practical nurses (LPNs) may off er the highest quality and exemplary professional service to Manitobans.

In accordance with The Licensed Practical Nurses Act (The Act), ongoing participation in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP) for all LPNs is a mandatory expectation of active practicing registration. Licensed practical nurses understand that comprehensive and active participation in the CCP by all LPNs contributes directly to the CLPNM’s mandate of public protection and to the delivery of safe, competent and ethical care to their clients.

The CCP consists of fi ve (5) components that form a system of assessing the ongoing knowledge, skills and judgment of a professional practitioner. These components consist of:

1. Practice hours: LPNs must meet a minimum requirement of hours practised in a four-year period.

2. Self-assessment: LPNs must formally assess their knowledge, skills and judgment, and learn to identify gaps and possible areas for further learning.

3. Learning plan: LPNs must create a formal learning plan every year, which outlines their learning goals, the relevance of those goals to their current or expected area(s) of practice, the means they have undertaken (or will take, for the current year) to meet those goals, and the impact of that learning on their practice.

4. Profession portfolio: LPNs must possess, maintain, and update a portfolio with professional education materials gathered in the course of educational goals; this portfolio is to serve as an easy place to refer back to as a refresher, or as a compilation of materials for current study, and serves as evidence of education acquired.

5. Audit: LPNs must work with the CLPNM from time to time to ensure compliance with the practice of the CCP in an eff ective, relevant, and useful way that directly contributes to public protection.

The CLPNM’s materials to be utilized for CCP participation may be found on the CLPNM website at www.clpnm.ca. To learn the specifi c documentation that is to be submitted when selected to participate in the CCP audit, please see the CCP Instruction Guide and/or attend a CCP Information Session off ered at the CLPNM in-person or via teleconference. Information regarding these resources may be found on the CLPNM website.

CCP Audit

One of the fi ve (5) components that form the CCP is the annual CCP audit. Each year the CLPNM is required to conduct an audit of CCP practice on randomly-selected active practicing registrants in order to verify compliance and the quality of CCP practice. Licensed practical nurses in Manitoba are well aware that the fi rst four (4) components of the CCP are continuous and mandatory components of CCP practice. The fi fth component, the CCP audit, is a mandatory component for the LPN to participate in only when selected to do so by the CLPNM.

In accordance with CLPNM policy, registrants selected for the CCP audit who have met all other requirements for registration renewal shall be subject to a conditional license. The audited individual’s ability to practice fully as an LPN will not be hampered by the condition. Upon successful completion of the audit, the condition is then removed. As


ongoing compliance with the CCP is a requirement of active practicing registration, once verifi ed by way of the audit, the CLPNM can ascertain that the LPN has met all registration requirements. Further, the condition is an indicator to employers that they are participating in the CCP audit.

During the auditing process, the LPN CCP auditing team will assess submitted CCP documentation to see if it complies with the expected standards. The auditors may direct registrants to submit further documentation and/or to attend specifi c CCP education prior to being able to determine that the registrant has successfully met the requirements of the CCP.

When it can be determined through the audit process that the registrant has successfully met the requirements of the CCP, the conditional registration status may be removed, and the CLPNM notifi es the registrant.

Verifi cation of Hours

Stated in Regulation 26 (1), to satisfy the requirement of continuing competence and for ongoing registration, registrants must have practiced a minimum of one thousand (1000) hours in the four (4) years immediately preceding the year for which renewal is sought.

Out of the randomly selected registrants chosen for the 2014 audit, fi fteen percent (15%) of those registrants (also randomly selected) were required to submit a verifi cation of hours. The registrant forwarded a CLPNM verifi cation of hours form to all of their previous and current nursing employers from the past four (4) years to verify that they had practiced a minimum of one thousand (1000) hours over that period of time.

The CCP Audit Process

The CCP Committee appointed twelve (12) active practicing LPNs in good standing, and from various practice areas, as CCP auditors to conduct the 2014 CCP audit. Eight (8) LPNs were appointed to conduct the audit while four (4) were appointed as alternates. Auditors worked in groups of two (2) ensuring that each audit was independently evaluated by two (2) separate individuals.

During the audit, the auditors looked for all of the required components and reviewed the learning plans for completeness, evidence of interventions, and for evidence of knowledge gained. Through audit processes, the auditors had the ability to provide registrants with peer feedback in relation to their CCP content.

In order to provide LPNs with multiple opportunities to succeed in the audit, the annual CCP audit took place over three (3) phases. CCP audit phase one (1) took place in January 2015, phase two (2) took place in February 2015 and phase three (3) took place at the end of April 2015. After each of the audit phases were completed, registrants were notifi ed. Those registrants who successfully passed

Verifi cation of hours for CCP audit 2014

Total number selected to participate 47

Number resigned 2

Cancelled on Dec. 15, 2014 for non-renewal 4

Total number required to participate 41

Total number submitted *41

through any one (1) phase of the audit had the audit condition removed from their registration. This was immediately refl ected via the CLPNM public register and the employer verifi cation system, both available on the CLPNM website at www.clpnm.ca.

To ensure consistency and objectivity, the auditors were provided an evaluation tool to use in order to independently review each registrant’s CCP materials. The tool was applied as a guideline in which to assess whether each learning plan contained the mandatory components of the CCP. Once an audit was evaluated, the auditors then determined the results of each individual audit. If it was determined that the registrant had not successfully met the requirements of the CCP, the auditors completed an audit direction form, which outlined what follow-up actions were required before the auditors could consider the registrant to have met the requirements.

Any registrant who completed the entire audit process, and whose CCP did not meet audit requirements were deemed to no longer meet the requirements for registration as an active practicing LPN in Manitoba. This resulted in the involvement of the CLPNM Executive Director, who provided the registrant with further direction.

*The CLPNM has determined that all verifi cations met the minimum practice hour requirement for active practicing registration, and were submitted within the registration renewal deadline.


The 2014 CCP Audit

There were 328 active practicing LPNs randomly selected to participate in the 2014 CCP audit. Out of the 328 selected, *21 resigned their active practicing registration, and 9 were cancelled on December 15, 2014 for non-renewal as per Regulation. **As determined by the Executive director, 1 met the criteria for exemption from participating in the 2014 audit. The remaining 1 had voluntarily surrendered their registration in September 2014. This left a total of 296 active practicing registrants who were required to participate in Phase One (1) of the 2014 audit; of which 20 were independent practicing. Phase one occurred in January 2015.

2014 CCP Audit Phase One (1):

The 2014 CCP Audit Phase One (1) results were divided into two (2) categories:

1. Successfully met CCP requirements – These registrants received a letter from the Practice Department via email and regular mail, per their address on fi le at the CLPNM, conveying the successful completion of their audit.

2. Have not met CCP requirements – These registrants received a letter from the Executive Director via registered mail, per their contact information on fi le at the CLPNM. Along with the letter, the registrant received a photocopy of the auditor’s evaluation tools that outlined their fi ndings, and a copy of an auditor direction form that outlined what follow-up information was required before the auditors could consider the registrant to have met the requirements. This correspondence also informed registrants of the timeframe in which to submit this follow-up information, and reminded registrants that the CCP was a mandatory component of ongoing licensure and as such required their participation. The CLPNM also sent email notifi cation, per their address on fi le at the CLPNM, of the incoming time sensitive registered mail.

CCP Audit 2014

Total number selected to participate 328

Resigned *21

Cancelled on Dec. 15, 2014 for non-renewal 9

Exempted **1

Voluntary surrender 1

Total number required to participate in the audit 296

Audit Phase 1 (January 20 – 22, 2015) 2014


Number of independent practice (IP) audits 20

Total number who met requirements 128 (43%)

Number of IP who met requirements 10

Total number who did not meet requirements 168 (57%)

Number of IP who did not meet requirements 10

*21 resigned their active practicing registration during the 2015 registration renewal period and up to the commencement of audit Phase One (1) on January 20, 2015.

Audit Phase One (1) was completed by 8 LPN auditors.


Audit Phase 2 (February 24 – 25, 2015) 2014

Total number required to participate in phase 2 168

Total number audited *162

Number of IP audits 10





Audit Phase 3 (April 22, 2015) 2014

Total number required to participate in phase 3 29

Total number audited *26

Number of IP audits 3


Total number of IP who met requirements 2



2014 CCP Audit Phase Two (2):

The 2014 CCP Audit Phase Two (2) results were divided into two (2) categories:


2. Have not met CCP requirements – These registrants were notifi ed in the same manner with the same content as after the fi rst audit phase, but were also informed of a mandatory CCP education requirement. Prior to the CLPNM accepting the follow-up information as directed by the auditors, registrants were informed of the timeframe in which to attend a CCP information session and then submit their additional documentation.

2014 CCP Audit Phase Three (3):

The 2014 CCP Audit Phase Three (3) results were divided into two (2) categories:


2. Have not met CCP requirements – These registrants were notifi ed in the same manner with the same content as after the fi rst audit phase, but were also informed of the requirement to contact the CLPNM Practice Department in order to schedule a mandatory one-on-one consultation with a practice consultant. Prior to the CLPNM accepting the follow-up information as directed by the auditors, registrants were informed of the timeframe in which to contact the Practice Department in order to schedule a mutually agreeable time for the consultation, which would subsequently require the registrant to submit their follow-up information and/or meet other actions per the direction of the CLPNM.

*1 registrant resigned, 1 was a former member, 2 were exempt, and 2 were cancelled for non-compliance.

Audit Phase Two (2) was completed by 6 LPN auditors.

*1 registrant resigned, and 2 were cancelled due to CCP non-compliance.

Audit Phase Three (3) was completed by 2 LPN auditors.


2014 CCP Audit Final Outcome:

The fi nal results, after completion of the third and fi nal audit phase for the 2014 Continuing Competence Program audit concludes:

2013 and 2014 CCP Audit Outcome Comparison

The table below outlines a summarized comparison of the 2014 CCP audit outcomes with the 2013 CCP audit outcomes.

2014 CCP Audit January to April 2015


Number of independent practice (IP) audits 20

Total number who met requirements 295 (99.6%)


Total number who did not meet requirements 1 (0.4%)


2014 CCP Audit 2014 2013

Total number selected to participate 328 308

Resigned 24 20

Cancelled on December 15 for non-renewal 9 6

Exempt 3 3

Voluntary surrender 1 0

Cancelled for CCP non-compliance 4 1

Number of independent practice (IP) audits completed 20 22

Total number audited in Phase 1 296 282

Audit Phase 1 MET 128 (43%) 158 (56%)

Audit Phase 1 NOT MET 168 (57%) 124 (44%)


Audit Phase 2 MET 133 (82%) 93 (76%)



Audit Phase 3 MET 25 (96%) 26 (96%)


Conclusion

Continuing one’s professional development contributes to safeguarding the public, the employer, the profession and themselves. Engaging in professional growth and development can deliver a greater appreciation of the implications and impacts of a nurse’s practice. Registrant compliance with the CCP can lead to increased public confi dence in the individual LPN providing their care, and to the profession as a whole.

Out of the 296 licensed practical nurses who participated in the 2014 CCP audit, 295 met the requirements and have had the CCP audit condition removed from their 2015 active practicing registration. As evidenced by the 2014 CCP audit, the CLPNM and its registrants embrace the importance of ongoing professional growth and development for the maintenance of safe and competent nursing practice.


Have you or someone you know recently been accepted into a practical nursing program in Manitoba?

Congratulations on taking your fi rst steps into the wonderful world of nursing! Did you know that students who are enrolled either full-time or part-time in a practical nursing program in Manitoba are required to register with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM)? Programs that you may have registered in, which require you to have a student registration with the CLPNM include:

• The Diploma in Practical Nursing (DPN) Program

• The Practical Nursing Qualifi cation Recognition (PNQR) Pilot Program

• The Practical Nursing Refresher (PNR) Program

How do I apply to the student practical nurse register?

A CLPNM representative may attend your school’s orientation session and provide a presentation about the CLPNM; at this time, you will receive a student register application form. If you are not at the session, you can contact CLPNM for the information.

From your fi rst day of classes you have four (4) weeks to apply to the student register. In order for your application to be considered complete, you will need to submit the following documents (and fee) with your application form:

• A Criminal Record Check (CRC) for Vulnerable Sector Search

• A Child Abuse Registry Check (CARC)

• An Adult Abuse Registry Check (AARC)

• Payment of $52.50 by Visa, MasterCard, Debit or Money Order (cash and cheques are not accepted)

The CLPNM will accept original copies or notarized copies of the above required documents. (All notarized copies must be notarized by a Notary Public.) Once the CLPNM has received these documents you will not need to submit them to the CLPNM again unless you are otherwise notifi ed.

Please be aware that even if you have submitted these documents to your school, it does not mean that they have automatically been forwarded to the CLPNM. It is your responsibility to ensure that we have received these documents by the deadline.

How long does my student practical nurse registration last?

Your student registration is valid for a maximum of twelve (12) months. If the nursing program you are taking is longer than twelve (12) months (i.e. the DPN program), you must remember to renew your student registration. To see if you are currently registered, you can search the CLPNM website at https://clpnm.alinityapp.com/WebClient/registrantdirectory.aspx.

What happens to my student registration if I withdraw from my nursing program?

If you withdraw from your nursing program voluntarily, or if you are unsuccessful, you change cohorts, or you transfer schools (including changing campuses within the same school), your student registration is automatically cancelled. Please note: if you decide to re-join a program, you must re-apply for student registration even if it is within the same twelve (12) month period.

What is important to know about my student registration?

According to The Licensed Practical Nurses Act (The ACT), 2001, all students taking a practical nursing program in Manitoba are required to have their name on the student register. Whether you are currently taking courses in class or out on clinical practice, you must be on CLPNM’s student register.

CLPNM requires the following information for you to be listed on the student register:

• Name

• Address

• Email address

• School you are attending

• Student number

• If you are a full time or part time student

HAVE YOU BEEN ACCEPTED INTO A PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM IN MANITOBA?


As the CLPNM regularly communicates with students through email (i.e. sending renewal reminders), it is your responsibility to update CLPNM with changes to any of the above information.

How do I know if I am on the student register?

Once all of your documents and payment have been submitted and approved by the CLPNM, you will be sent a confi rmation email. The email will also contain information on how to access your online receipt, and how to view your registration on the CLPNM website. CLPNM no longer hands out paper registrations/registration cards. Confi rmation of registration is now on our public register at: https://clpnm.alinityapp.com/WebClient/registrantdirectory.aspx.

What happens if I apply late?

You are considered late if the following documents (and fee) have not been received and approved by the CLPNM within four (4) weeks of the start of your program:

• A completed application form

• A Criminal Record Check (CRC) for Vulnerable Sector Search

• A Child Abuse Registry Check (CARC)

• An Adult Abuse Registry Check (AARC)

• The fee of $52.50

If you are late in applying to the student register you must pay a late fee of $52.50 in addition to your student application fee of $52.50 for a total of $105.00.

Depending on how late your application is, you may also have to undergo a registration assessment by CLPNM’s Executive Director. (This assessment also includes a fee of $78.75, which must be paid prior to the registration assessment.)

If you have failed to register as a student prior to participating in your clinical practicum, you are not able to sign SPN after your name when you are charting. Only those who are on the student register are able to sign a chart with the SPN designation.

What happens if I do not apply at all?

Ultimately, if you do not apply to the student register, your ability to apply for graduate practical nurse (GPN) registration will be impacted. You will be expected to apply and pay for all registration fees for your student registration, including late fees, and you will have to undergo a registration assessment by the CLPNM’s Executive Director (at your own cost) prior to being eligible to apply for GPN registration. As you must have your GPN registration before you begin working in Manitoba, this will impact how quickly you can begin working after you fi nish your practical nursing program. Also, you are required to have your GPN registration in order to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE); therefore, your ability to write the exam on time may be impacted.

Are you or someone you know getting ready to start the second year of a practical nursing program in Manitoba?

Congratulations! You have made it through your fi rst year as a practical nursing student. I am sure that your head must be spinning by now with all of the new nursing knowledge you have acquired; therefore, as a courtesy from the CLPNM, students who are enrolled either full-time or part-time in a practical nursing program in Manitoba will receive an email reminder to renew their student registration.

How do I know if I have to renew?

Student registrations are only valid for a total of twelve (12) months. If you are starting your second year of the DPN program, or if you are continuing your PNR program beyond twelve (12) months, you are required to renew your student registration.

Approximately two (2) months before your student license expires you will receive an email from the CLPNM with instructions on how to renew your student registration. It is important that you keep your email address up-to-date with us to ensure you receive your notifi cation.

How do I renew?

Student renewals are now completed online on the CLPNM’s website: www.clpnm.ca; you will not receive a paper copy of the renewal form. You must complete your registration renewal before your student registration expires, which includes paying the renewal fee of $52.50.

If you have already submitted your Criminal Record Check (CRC) for Vulnerable Sector Search, Child Abuse Registry Check (CARC) and Adult Abuse Registry Check (AARC) you do not need to resubmit these documents unless you have been advised to do so by the CLPNM.

Once you have submitted all of the requirements for student registration renewal, you will receive an email from the CLPNM approving your registration.

What happens if I am late or do not renew?

Registering late (after your fi rst year student registration expires) means that you are in school without a student license. You will need to complete your application form online and pay a late fee of $52.50 (for a total of $105.00).

You may also be subject to an assessment by the CLPNM’s Executive Director, which includes payment of an assessment fee of $78.75. If you do not renew your license, your ability to apply for your GPN registration may be impacted, as well as beginning to work and to write the CPNRE.

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