Regina -- The Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) reports that LPNs have made good progress in completing the additional courses and training required for them to meet the profession's increased mandatory competencies (minimum requirements) for registration in the province.

Under revised mandatory competencies (minimum requirements) approved in 2008 all Saskatchewan Licensed Practical Nurses must have completed the Administration of Medications Program offered by the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (SIAST) by December 1 of this year, and must complete SIAST's Health Assessment Program by December 1 2012.

"SALPN considers the administration of medications and health assessment to be skills required by every nurse regardless of their nursing environment or utilization level. These are important additions to the minimum requirements for professional recognition in Saskatchewan," said Colin Hein, Executive Director of the Association.

Since the new minimum requirements were approved in 2008, SALPN has been busy informing all LPNs of the details of the requirements, and working with SIAST to ensure the availability of training courses and challenge programs to meet the new standards. 97 Licensed Practical Nurses in Saskatchewan still have to take additional training to meet the new standard for Administration of Medications by this December, while just under 12-hundred LPNs will be required to take additional training to meet the new standards for Health Assessments by December of 2012.

"Changes to our mandatory competencies are just the latest in a series of improvements to the professional training of Saskatchewan's Licensed Practical Nurses. In 2008, Diploma status was granted to the graduates of our practical nursing program, which has increased in length to a 65-week program, delivered over two academic years to better prepare students to serve their patients," Hein noted.

The Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses is a self-regulating health professional organization that represents a growing, rapidly evolving component of the health provider team. The regulatory body's sole responsibility is to protect the public and promote patient safety through the efficient regulation of the profession. Revisions to the Licensed Practical Nurses Act in 2000 gave Licensed Practical Nurses the power to practice autonomously and the authority to approve the profession's education and training programs. LPNs are independent members of the health provider team and one of three professions within the nursing discipline in Saskatchewan (Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses).

For Further Information Contact:
Colin Hein
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
306-525-1436, Ext. 227