Minimum Course Hours: 25

Course Description

Learners are introduced to the profession of practical nursing and the B.C. legislation that informs the practice. The course explores the history of nursing, with a focus on the evolution of practical nursing within the Canadian health care system. Learners are introduced to the concepts of cultural safety, cultural humility, diversity, and anti-racism—with a focus on Indigenous-specific anti-racism. Standards and foundational concepts in nursing are also examined, including ethical practice, self-reflection, self-care, interprofessional practice, and leadership.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Practical Nursing Program

Corequisites: Professional Communication 1; Health Promotion 1; Variations in Health 1; Pharmacology 1; Integrated Nursing Practice 1

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe how legislation and the current British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) LPN Professional Standards, Practice Standards, and Entry-Level Competencies inform nursing practice.
   • 1.1 Discuss how historical perspectives, current trends, and issues affect the role of the practical nurse.
   • 1.2 Explore the Health Professions and Occupations Act (effective April 1, 2026), the Nurses and Midwives Regulation (effective April 1, 2026), and the Regulated Health Practitioners Regulation (effective April 1, 2026) and their impact on nurses and other health professions in B.C.
   • 1.3 Describe how legislation, standards, and practice expectations guide nursing practice.
2. Explain the role and responsibility of the BCCNM, including the partnership among different nursing designations: registered nurse (RN), registered psychiatric nurse (RPN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), nurse practitioner (NP).
   • 2.1 Discuss the role of the practical nurse in the context of the Canadian health care system.
   • 2.2 Explore professional self-regulation and the implications for individual responsibilities and accountabilities of the practical nurse.
   • 2.3 Discuss responsibilities and competencies of other health care roles, and how the collective interprofessional team influences care and the quality practice environment.
3. Describe how the philosophy of caring guides nursing practice.
   • 3.1 Discuss the philosophy of Practical Nursing Program curriculum.
   • 3.2 Discuss how personal competence, responsibility, and accountability of the nurse are components of caring practice.
4. Explore strategies to develop critical thinking, clinical judgment, and self-reflective practice skills in one’s nursing practice.
   • 4.1 Discuss ethical practice and decision-making principles.
   • 4.2 Explore the professional and practice standards governing ethical practice.
   • 4.3 Discuss the importance of critical thinking as it relates to nursing practice.
   • 4.4 Describe the value, importance, and responsibility to personal ownership of learning and lifelong learning principles.
   • 4.5 Discuss the concept of reflective practice, including what it is, why it is important, and how to develop as a reflective care provider.
5. Explore the concept of self-care.
   • 5.1 Identify strategies to promote mental, emotional, and physical health and wellness.
   • 5.2 Describe ways to prevent and/or alleviate moral distress, moral injury, and burnout in one’s nursing practice.
   • 5.3 Describe how one’s own state of health (mental, emotional, and physical) may impact the practical nurse’s responsibilities and accountabilities, and the ability to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient care.
   • 5.4 Discuss how BCCNM LPN Entry-Level Competencies influence professional conduct.
6. Explore the concepts of diversity, cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism—particularly Indigenous-specific anti-racism.
   • 6.1 Define diversity, cultural safety, cultural humility, and Indigenous-specific anti-racism.
   • 6.2 Describe how personal privileges, values, biases, and assumptions may influence one’s ability to provide safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental care, particularly when caring for Indigenous clients, clients with mental health conditions, and/or those who are marginalized or vulnerable.
   • 6.3 Describe culture as a shifting relational process.
   • 6.4 Define social justice.
7. Explain how to access and assess current and relevant scholarly resources to prepare for nursing practice.
   • 7.1 Use appropriate guidelines for writing an academic paper.
   • 7.2 Discuss academic integrity, including the ethical and permitted use of artificial intelligence, in written assignments.
   • 7.3 Explore sources of credible health information.
8. Discuss the role of leadership, management, and followership in nursing practice.
   • 8.1 Discuss theories of nursing leadership, including leadership styles and attributes.
   • 8.2 Identify key competencies associated with effective leadership, management, and followership.

Course Concepts

Course outcomes will be met through an examination and exploration of the following concepts:

• BCCNM LPN Professional Standards, Practice Standards, and documents that guide scope of practice
• Legislation and regulation that govern practical nursing practice
• Introduction to practical nursing professional practice
• History of practical nursing
• Philosophy of the Practical Nursing Program curriculum
• Introduction to ethical practice
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Introduction to leadership
• Interprofessional practice
• Diversity
• Cultural safety and cultural humility
• Anti-racism with a focus on Indigenous-specific anti-racism
• Self-reflection
• Self-care
• Stress management
• Using scholarly resources appropriately