Registration Conditions

Description

There are times when an LPN’s registration is subject to conditions which may limit their practice, require that they practise under specific circumstances, or require the LPN to meet specific directions within a set time frame. When an LPN’s registration is subject to conditions, this fact is noted on the Public Register and in the Employer Verification System. Most conditions are self-explanatory. However, there are times when a condition may require further explanation in order to be properly and consistently understood by the LPN and their employer. Below, you will find a description of some of these conditions. Anytime an LPN or their employer has questions about any condition, they are strongly encouraged to contact the CLPNM.

Condition Examples

Example 1

Condition: The registrant must practise in an environment where a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, or a Registered Psychiatric Nurse is readily available.

Explanation: This condition means the registrant must practise in an environment where the LPN has the ability to reach another nurse for guidance. The other nurse must be on shift or on call, and employed by the same employer or assigned to provide care at the same facility. Another nurse who is available for consultation by phone, whether on-site or off-site, is an example of a nurse who is “readily available.” An LPN who has this condition is expected to use insight and critical thinking to seek out guidance from the other nurse when required.

Note: this definition is not applicable to Graduate Practical Nurses. Consult the GPN Practice Direction to understand the expectations for graduates.

Example 2

Condition: The registrant must practise in an environment where a Licensed Practical Nurse, a Registered Nurse, or a Registered Psychiatric Nurse is readily and physically available.

Explanation: This condition means the registrant must practise in an environment where the LPN has the ability to access guidance and in-person assistance from another nurse when required. The other nurse must be on shift at the facility, and either employed by the same employer or assigned to provide care at the same facility. Another nurse who is on-site somewhere in the same facility, and who can be physically available within minutes to provide assistance, is an example of a nurse who is “readily and physically available.” An LPN who has this condition is expected to use insight and critical thinking to seek out guidance and/or in-person assistance, when required.

Note: in some circumstances, the CLPNM may specify in the condition that the other nurse must be available on the same unit.

Example 3

Condition: Direct Supervision: The registrant must have direct supervision by a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or a registered psychiatric nurse when [list of interventions/tasks].

Explanation: This condition means that another nurse must be physically present and must actively supervise the aspects of the LPN’s practice that are named in the condition. The nurse providing direct supervision is expected to be at the registrant’s side during the registrant’s performance of the interventions/tasks named in the condition. The presence of a supervising nurse provides the opportunity for that nurse to intervene, as required, to support safe client care.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of all conditions that may be applied to a registrant’s registration, only a few that occasionally require further explanation. Be sure to contact the CLPNM any time you have questions about a registrant’s conditions.