The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (CLPNBC) and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC (CRPNBC) have responded to a Nov. 18 letter from the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) which includes recommendations for an improved notification system for employers when a status change occurs for any registered nurses.
“It’s great to see the College of Psychiatric Nurses moving so quickly to address some of our concerns,” says Daniel Fontaine, CEO for the BCCPA. “We definitely encourage our members to use their new automated alert service and trust the other colleges will be in a position to implement something similar in the new year.”
The letter was also sent to the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC), who responded last week. The BCCPA letter recommends changes to the BC Care Aide Registry as well as several efficient and cost-effective ways that the CRNBC can improve their existing notification system:
- Allow all employers who employ registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and/or licensed practical nurses to sign up for a free electronic e-bulletin that would automatically alert them to the status change of registrants.
- Ensure the e-bulletin also includes information regarding registrants who have had a restriction placed on their practice.
- Set up a working committee comprised of representatives from the College of Registered Nurses, College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses, the College of Licensed Practical Nurses, and the BC Care Providers Association. The committee would meet to provide the College with suggestions and recommendations on how to improve the safety and well-being of seniors in care.
CLPNBC Response
The CLPNBC responded with a letter of their own. According to Carina Herman, Executive Director and Registrar, the CLPNBC are working towards creating consistent communication between the three nursing regulators in B.C.
“Our hope is to reduce confusion and create consistency in messaging and information,” she said in her letter to the BCCPA. “We are currently looking for ways to improve our communication with our stakeholders, particularly with employers, related to any change in registration status and reasons for the change.”
The CLPNC also indicated they are open to the BCCPA suggestion of sending electronic notifications when a change in registration occurs.
CRPNBC Response
The CRPNBC also responded with a letter to the BCCPA. In their letter written by Kyoung-ae Kim, Executive Director and Registrar, the CRPNBC indicates that they are on board with the suggestion of an electronic notification system, going as far as saying it can be put in place immediately.
“We really like the idea of an e-bulletin that employers can sign up for in order to receive notices relating to the registration status of RPNs,” said Kim. “This is something we can implement right away, and we would appreciate it if you would encourage your member employers to sign up by emailing us.”
Our members can email them about receiving notifications at crpnbc@crpnbc.ca, with the subject “Public Notification to Employers.”
