Nursing Professions
Last updated on April 26, 2023The 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.
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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 Regulations
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. Continues the designation of practical nursing under the Health Professions Designation Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. |
October 10, 2008 OIC 737/2008 BC Reg 270/2008 |
| Repeals the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Act Regulations. | May 6, 1998 OIC 586/98 |
| Repeals Division 8 of the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Act Regulations. | March 22, 1996 OIC 393/96 BC Reg 74/96 |
| Brings into force the repeal of the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Act. | March 22, 1996 OIC 390/96 BC Reg 72/96 |
| Enacts the Licensed Practical Nurses Regulation. | March 22, 1996 OIC 389/96 BC Reg 71/96 |
Approved Regulation Amendments - Nursing (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation
| Approved Regulation Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
|
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. |
April 6, 2023 MO. 99/2023 BC Reg 100/2023 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) Regulation to ensure appropriate standards are in place regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) activities by requiring the College to set Standards for registrants relating to MAID that are enforceable through provincial law, and that make non-adherence to the Standards a provincial offence. Similar changes have been made to the Medical Practitioners Regulation and the Pharmacists Regulation. | July 26, 2016 MO 285/2016 BC Reg 201/2016 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) Regulation regarding the profession's scope of practice and restricted activities. | December 3, 2015 MO 405/2015 BC Reg 226/2015 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation to add "apply laser for the purpose of destroying tissue" to the list of restricted activities that registered nurses may perform under an order. | June 29, 2010 MO 194/2010 BC Reg 213/2010 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation to change the repeal date of section 10 (transitional re: certified practices) from October 31, 2009 to March 31, 2010. | October 30, 2009 MO 246/2009 BC Reg 255/2009 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation to authorize registered nurses to compound, dispense and administer Schedule I drugs for the purpose of treating symptoms of influenza-like-illness, without an order from a medical practitioner or other prescribing health professional. | October 26, 2009 MO 243/2009 BC Reg 250/2009 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation to correct a technical drafting error in section 6. | June 4, 2009 MO 147/2009 BC Reg 162/2009 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation regarding the profession's scope of practice and restricted activities. | April 9, 2009 MO 131/2009 BC Reg 157/2009 |
| Makes the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. | October 15, 2008 MO 244/2008 BC Reg 284/2008 |
| Repeals the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation (BC Reg 233/2005), effective October 17, 2008. Continues the designation of nursing under the Health Professions Designation Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. |
October 10, 2008 OIC 737/2008 BC Reg 270/2008 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation to provide that section 10.1 is repealed on January 1, 2009. | July 6, 2007 OIC 519/2007 BC Reg 247/2007 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation by repealing and replacing section 11 (1) (f). | May 12, 2006 OIC 336/2006 BC Reg 128/2006 |
| Makes amendments to various regulations consequential to enacting the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation, effective August 19, 2005. | June 28, 2005 OIC 475/2005 BC Reg 232/2005 |
| Enacts the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation effective August 19, 2005, and suspends the operation of the Nurses (Registered) Act until April 1, 2006 except as required for winding up the Registered Nurses Association of BC. The Nurses (Registered) Act is repealed on April 1, 2006. | June 28, 2005 OIC 476/2005 BC Reg 233/2005 |
Approved Regulation Amendments - Nursing (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation
| Approved Regulation Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
|
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. |
April 6, 2023 MO. 99/2023 BC Reg 100/2023 |
| Amends the Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation regarding the profession's scope of practice and restricted activities. | December 3, 2015 MO 406/2015 BC Reg 227/2015 |
| Makes the Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. | October 15, 2008 MO 245/2008 BC Reg 285/2008 |
| Repeals the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Regulation (BC Reg 115/99), effective October 17, 2008. Continues the designation of psychiatric nursing under the Health Professions Designation Regulation, effective October 17, 2008. |
October 10, 2008 OIC 737/2008 BC Reg 270/2008 |
| Brings into force the repeal of the Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Act. Enacts the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Regulation. |
April 16, 1999 OIC 463/99 BC Reg 115/99 |
Filed Bylaw Amendments
| Filed Bylaw Amendments | Date |
|---|---|
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule G- Fees | Filed October 29, 2020 In force December 29, 2020 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule B – Recognized Practical Nursing Education Programs. | Filed August 14, 2020 In force October 16, 2020 |
| Amends multiple College bylaws. | Filed November 22, 2019 In force January 23, 2020 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F to establish a new fee schedule. | Filed September 27, 2019 In force November 28, 2019 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F – Fees to establish a new, interim fee schedule. | Filed September 27, 2019 In force November 1, 2019 MO 329/2019 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Section 5(1), 6(2) and 7 in relation to the Board election procedure. | Filed September 11, 2019 In force November 1, 2019 MO 328/2019 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Section 5(1), 6(2) and 7 in relation to the Board election procedure. | Filed July 30, 2019 In force September 30, 2019 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F - Fees | Filed November 15, 2018 In force November 20, 2018 MO471/2018 |
| Amends the bylaws by repealing and replacing Schedule F - Fees. | Filed September 21, 2018 In force November 1, 2018 MO 395/2018 |
Contact information
British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
Website:
www.bccnm.ca
604.742.6200
1.866.880.7101
604.899.0794