LPN News

Experienced LPNs can support client safety and improved collaboration by acting as leaders and mentors in the workplace. Engaging in these activities is shown to improve client safety and build a culture of safety.

Mentorship in nursing can take many forms:

• formal arrangements, such as preceptorships and supervisory roles; and
• informal arrangements, such as mentoring newer professionals.

Regulatory Documents and Mentorship

Taking opportunities for leadership and mentorship is considered a part of the LPN role in Alberta.

Standards of Practice for LPNs in Canada

The Standards of Practice for LPNs in Canada lay out the professional and legal expectations for the profession. Standard 1 covers indicators related to Professional Accountability and Responsibility. Indicator 1.10 states that LPNs:

Provide leadership to support and/or participate in mentoring and preceptorship.

View the Standards of Practice for LPNs in Canada

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics for LPNs describes the responsibilities that LPNs uphold and promote, and to which they are accountable. The Code of Ethics is separated into six principles. Principle 6.3 in the Code of Ethics covers a health practice environment, and includes the following:

Engage in opportunities to discuss roles, responsibilities, and expertise of various health professions, including one’s own.

View the Code of Ethics for LPNs

Continuing Competence and Mentorship

Professional development related to mentorship can be used to satisfy requirements related to the CLHA’s Continuing Competence Program. This can include learning activities such as taking courses, attending conferences, reading journal articles, watching videos, and more.

Benefits of Mentorship to Public Safety

Evidence shows that mentorship improves the nursing skills and confidence of both the LPN mentor and the mentee, which contributes to safer, higher quality care for clients.

Benefits for new nurses: Mentorship provides new nurses with ongoing support as they start their careers, which is shown to reduce stress and improve retention. New nurses can refine their skills and gain insight into different nursing roles while increasing confidence and independence.

Benefits for established nurses: By mentoring new nurses, established nurses can ensure that the next generation has the skills needed to practice safely and effectively. This means that established nurses can better trust new nurses to practice independently, which has benefits for workload management. Effective mentorship, built on professional communication and collaboration, is also shown to improve the retention of new nurses, which means that there will be more competent nurses available to care for clients, reducing stress for established nurses.

Benefits for collaboration in the practice environment: A healthy practice environment is essential for the ongoing provision of safe, ethical, and competent care. Mentorship helps build a culture of safety in all practice environments by improving teamwork and collaboration. A culture of safety is one where all practitioners feel comfortable identifying risks and opportunities for improvement and where healthcare teams work together to provide safe, effective care.

Contact

For support understanding the LPN role and responsibilities, contact the CLHA Professional Practice Team.