The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) regulates all nursing professions in British Columbia. Each designation brings specialized knowledge, skills and abilities to clients and health care teams.
- Licensed practical nurses (LPN)
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Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have successfully completed an
entry-level LPN education program and met
BCCNM registration requirements. LPNs provide nursing services for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health and the prevention of illness and injury. LPNs focus on clients with stable or predictable states of health across all stages of life. LPNs practise both autonomously and in collaboration with other health care team members within the
LPN Scope of Practice.
- Nurse practitioners (NP)
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Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have successfully completed a
master’s level NP program and met BCCNM
registration requirements. NPs are primary care providers who practise in many settings. NPs assess and treat diseases and disorders by prescribing, ordering diagnostic services and managing results, and consulting and referring with other health care providers. NPs practise in one of three “streams” which include family, adult, or pediatrics, and within the
NP Scope of Practice. NPs often work within multidisciplinary teams that complement each other to improve patient care.
- Registered nurses (RN)
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Registered nurses (RNs) have successfully completed a BCCNM-recognized entry-level
RN education program and met BCCNM
registration requirements. RNs provide nursing services for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health and the prevention of illness and injury. RNs practise both independently and in collaboration with other health care team members with a focus on the competencies of the
RN Scope of Practice.
Employed student nurse (ESN)
Students enrolled in a BCCNM recognized entry-level
registered nursing program and who are in good standing may be eligible to
apply for registration as an ESN. ESNs carry out nursing activities which they have acquired the competence to safely perform as part of their entry-level nursing program and with supervision from a nurse.
Licensed graduate nurse (LGN)
Licensed graduate nurses (LGNs) are a class of nurses granted LGN Registration prior to Oct. 1, 1990. LGNs provide nursing services within the
RN Scope of Practice.
Registered nurse with certified practice (RN-C)
Registered nurses who successfully complete a BCCNM recognized
certified practice nursing course and evaluation may apply for a RN-C designation. There are three categories of
BCCNM certified practice: reproductive health (contraceptive management and sexually transmitted infections), remote nursing and RN first call. RN-Cs perform many nursing activities independently including the diagnosis and treatment of select diseases and disorders.
- Registered psychiatric nurses (RPN)
- Registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) have successfully completed a BCCNM-recognized entry-level
RPN education program and met BCCNM
registration requirements. RPNs provide nursing services for the for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health and the prevention of illness and injury. RPNs focus on psychosocial, mental or emotional health across all stages of life. RPNs practise both independently and in collaboration with other health care team members with a focus on the competencies of the
RPN Scope of Practice.
Employed student psychiatric nurse (ESPN)
Students enrolled in a BCCNM recognized entry-level
registered psychiatric nursing program and who are in good standing may be eligible to
apply for registration as an employed student psychiatric nurse (ESPN). ESPNs carry out nursing activities which they have acquired the competence to safely perform as part of their entry-level nursing program and with supervision from a nurse.