Download PDF - College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta

at issueNational Nursing Report ShowsUntapped Potential for Alberta LPNsLicensed practical nurses (LPNs)employed in nursing grew 29% inAlberta in a five year period, yetthe province has the second lowestnumber of LPNs per population of anyCanadian jurisdiction and fewer thanhalf work full time. These statisticsare according to the annual report onnursing workforce trends from 2007-2011 by the Canadian Institute forHealth Information (CIHI) releasedJanuary 10, “Regulated Nurses:Canadian Trends, 2007 to 2011”.GROWING, BUTUNDEREMPLOYED“Alberta’s LPNs are highly educated,and have one of the most advancedscopes of practice in Canada, so we’repleased to see the number employedhas increased nearly 30% in five years,though this report shows they areunder-employed compared to otherprovinces,” states Linda Stanger,Executive Director of the College ofLicensed Practical Nurses of Alberta(CLPNA).There were 204 LPNs per 100,000population in Alberta in 2011, 17%lower than the Canadian average of245. Only British Columbia has fewerat 186. Newfoundland leads with 486LPNs per 100,000.The LPN workforce experienced moregrowth than other nursing professions,growing 21% across Canada from2007 to 2011.According to the report, the totalnumber of all regulated nurses eligibleto practice “grew almost 10% inCanada between 2007 and 2011”while the “Canadian labour forcegrew by less than 5%”. The numberin Alberta grew slightly more, 13%, inthe same period.HIGH PART-TIMEEMPLOYMENT RATELPNs working full-time haveconsistently fallen short of nationalaverages since at least 2007. Only44% of Alberta LPNs worked full-timein 2011, while the national average forall nursing professionals is 57%. InOntario, 61% of Registered PracticalNurses work full time.With less than average full-timeemployment, Alberta LPNs are thesecond largest group in Canada tobe working part time at 42%. TheCanadian average is 35%.“Since most LPNs are working parttime, we see an untapped capacityfor increasing the hours of alreadyemployed nurses to ease currentpressures on Alberta’s health caresystem,” Stanger emphasizes.CIHI reports that direct patient care isthe responsibility of 97% of Alberta’slicensed practical nurses.“Patients deserve excellence in bedsidenursing, and that’s the forte of theLPN profession. Increased growthsupports increased quality of care forAlbertans,” shares Jo-Anne Mcdonald-Watson, President of the CLPNA.YOUNG ANDRECENTLY EDUCATEDAlberta LPNs remain some of theyoungest nursing professionals withthe average age of 42 years comparedto 44.8 years nationally. A secondindicator of youth, years sincegraduation, shows Alberta in the leadwith the highest percentage of the LPNworkforce under age 30 at 22%. Bothnationally and within the province,LPNs aged 30 or younger were thelargest group within the workforce.Nationally, slightly more than half(52%) of all LPNs in the workforcehad graduated within the last 10 years.Licensed practical nurses in Albertagraduate from a two-year diploma inpractical nursing offered at the collegelevel and are one of three regulatednursing professions in Alberta.MOBILITY TRENDSOnly 5% of Canadian LPNs relocatedafter graduation, with most registeringin Alberta, British Columbia andOntario in 2011.Internationally educated nursesincreased slightly between 2007 and2011, but comprise less than 3% of theCanadian workforce, and only 2.5% inAlberta.The College of Licensed PracticalNurses of Alberta (CLPNA) is theregulatory (licensing) organization forAlberta’s 10,000 Licensed PracticalNurses (LPNs). CLPNA regulatesthe profession by setting entry-topracticerequirements, establishing,promoting and enforcing standards forregistration, practice, and professionalconduct. n6 care | volume 27 issue 1