The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) is the regulatory body established to regulate Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Practical Nurses and Psychiatric Nurses. The BCCNM was established on September 1, 2020. The BCCNM resulted from the amalgamation of the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) and the College of Midwives of British Columbia (CMBC).
The BCCNP was established on September 4, 2018. The BCCNP resulted from the amalgamation of the three previously existing nursing colleges - the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC, the College of Registered Nurses of BC, and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC - into a single regulator for all nurses in the province.
Nursing has been a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act since August 19, 2005, and was regulated by the former College of Registered Nurses of BC in accordance with the Act, the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation and the bylaws of the College.
Nursing has been a regulated profession under British Columbia legislation since 1918. Before designation under the Health Professions Act, the profession was regulated under the Nurses (Registered) Act.
Practical nursing has been a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act since March 22, 1996, and was regulated by the former College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC in accordance with the Act, the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation and the bylaws of the College.
Practical nursing has been a regulated profession under British Columbia legislation since 1965. Before designation under the Health Professions Act, the profession was regulated under the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Act.
Psychiatric nursing has been a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act since April 16, 1999, and was regulated by the former College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC in accordance with the Act, the Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation and the bylaws of the College.
Psychiatric nursing has been a regulated profession under British Columbia legislation since 1951. Before designation under the Health Professions Act, the profession was regulated under the Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Act.
Amendments to the Nursing (Licensed Practical) Regulation, Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation, Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation and to most College bylaws are subject to a three-month notice period, unless the Minister specifies a shorter period.
The College is responsible for giving notice of proposed bylaw amendments, including posting them on the College website, and all bylaw amendments must be filed with the Minister to be effective. Filed bylaws come into force 60 days after the date of filing, unless the Minister either disallows the change or specifies an earlier date, or the College withdraws the change.
The full text of the current bylaws and information about any proposed bylaw amendments may be obtained by contacting the College. Comments on proposed bylaw amendments should be submitted to both the College and the Ministry.
Approved Regulation Amendments - Nursing (Licensed Practical) Regulation
| Approved Regulation Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation regarding the definition of ‘certified practice registrant.’ | April 6, 2023 MO. 99/2023 BC Reg 100/2023 |
| Amends the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation regarding the profession's scope of practice and restricted activities. | December 3, 2015 MO 402/2015 BC Reg 224/2015 |
| Amends the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation to allow LPNs to provide services under the direction of a nurse practitioner, effective March 1, 2012. | February 13, 2012 MO 024/2012 BC Reg 20/2012 |
| Amends the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation to allow licensed practical nurses to compound, dispense or administer (orally or by intradermal, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection) Schedule II drugs for the purposes of immunization, without the direction of a medical practitioner or the supervision of a registered nurse. | November 16, 2010 MO 320/2010 BC Reg 322/2010 |
| Makes the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. | October 15, 2008 MO 243/2008 BC Reg 283/2008 |
| Repeals the Licensed Practical Nurses Regulation (BC Reg 71/96), effective October 17, 2008. |
Approved Regulation Amendments - Nursing (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation
Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation to create a certified practice program for RNs for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Certified practice RNs will be able to diagnose OUD and prescribe controlled drugs for the treatment of OUD for which the BC College of Nurses and Midwives has developed standards, limits and conditions.
Additionally, certified practice RNs can issue orders to Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses, who have not received additional education and training, to compound, dispense and administer controlled drugs to treat OUD.
Approved Regulation Amendments - Nursing (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation
Amends the Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation to create a certified practice program for RPNs for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Certified practice RPNs will be able to diagnose OUD and prescribe controlled drugs for the treatment of OUD for which the BC College of Nurses and Midwives has developed standards, limits and conditions.
Additionally, certified practice RPNs can issue orders to Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses, who have not received additional education and training, to compound, dispense and administer controlled drugs to treat OUD.