The curriculum (2011) was created around five key organizing concepts: integrative, professional, knowledgeable, competent, and client focused. These organizing concepts remain relevant to the current provincial curriculum (2025) and continue to provide a foundation for program learning outcomes.

Integrative

The practical nurse is integral in the assessment, planning, development of nursing diagnoses, implementation, evaluation, and documentation of nursing care. The practical nurse promotes, supports and advocates for client self‐determination to achieve optimum health outcomes. The foundation of practical nursing is stipulated by relevant law as defined by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) LPN Professional Standards, Practice Standards, and Entry-Level Competencies.

Professional

Practical nurses engage in collaborative practice, showing respect for the shared and unique competencies of other members of the health care team. BCCNM’s LPN Professional Standards and Practice Standards provide direction for the practical nurse to uphold the highest standard of care within their defined scope of practice. The practical nurse maintains autonomy within the legislated scope of practice and is legally accountable to the client, the employer, and the profession. The practical nurse demonstrates a self‐reflective, humble, and non-judgmental approach to practice and leads by example through role modelling of exemplary care and teamwork.

Knowledgeable

Practical nurses use critical thinking to guide the formulation of clinical decisions, based on evidence‐informed practice. Practical nurses follow a systematic approach when applying the nursing process and delivering care while respecting diversity. Practical nurses are knowledgeable about trends and issues that impact the client, the health care system, and the team. Practical nurses contribute to many aspects of care delivery, including health promotion, illness prevention, harm reduction, and risk management activities.

Competent

Practical nurses integrate knowledge, skills, behaviours, attitudes, critical thinking, and clinical judgment expected of an entry‐level practitioner to provide safe, competent, and ethical care. Practical Nurses care for clients throughout the lifespan and are responsible for providing care while developing and maintaining a therapeutic nurse‐client relationship. Practical nurses perform holistic, comprehensive, and specific nursing assessments to achieve mutually agreed-upon health outcomes. Using evidence-informed and best practice, practical nurses select, implement, and evaluate appropriate nursing interventions that are within their scope of practice and level of competence.

Client Focused

Practical nurses listen to clients and assist them to identify actual and potential health goals and outcomes, support clients to assume responsibility for their health, involve clients in developing and prioritizing their plan of care, and provide information and access to resources. Practical nurses collaborate with clients and other health care team members in discharge planning, care planning, and implementing strategies to evaluate and enhance client learning, revising strategies as necessary. Practical nurses provide care that affirms and fosters cultural safety and cultural humility, diversity, equity, and inclusion.