Scope of Practice
The Licensed Practical Nurses Act (LPN Act) of Manitoba defines the practice of practical nursing as:
The provision of nursing services for the purpose of assessing and treating health conditions, promoting health, preventing illness, and assisting individuals, families and groups to achieve an optimal state of health.
LPNs are educated from the same body of nursing knowledge as other nurses. LPNs also apply the same framework in their practice as other nursing professionals (assessment, diagnosis/determination, planning, implementation, and evaluation)..
At entry level, LPNs are expected to practise both independently and collaboratively with other members of the health care team. In all practice contexts, LPNs are responsible and accountable for their own decisions and actions. Since the LPN Act was amended in 2001, LPNs in Manitoba are not required to practise under the direction or supervision of another health care professional.
Manitoba LPNs care for clients across the entire lifespan, whose care needs may vary in complexity, predictability, and stability, and within a wide range of practice environments, including areas with high acuity clients. An individual LPN’s suitability for practice in any nursing environment will always depend on the LPN’s individual competencies, which are determined by that LPN’s unique post-basic education, training, and experience.
Like all health care professionals, as client care needs approach the limits of the individual LPN’s competence, more consultation with other members of the team is expected.
In addition to the scope of practice statement, LPN practice in Manitoba is guided by:
Determining Appropriate LPN Practice
The CLPNM often receives questions about whether a practice environment, role or specific nursing activity is appropriate for Manitoba’s LPNs. The following document sets out the decision-making process that must be applied when these questions arise.
Nursing in a Team Environment
The Colleges of Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Registered Psychiatric Nurses of
Manitoba jointly developed a resource document to answer questions about how to best understand the roles of licensed
practical nurses (LPN), registered nurses (RN) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPN) in a specific practice setting.
Is my position LPN practice?
Are you wondering whether your current position counts towards your LPN practice hour requirement? Are you considering accepting a new position, but unsure whether the role falls within the scope of your profession?