History of Licensed Practical Nursing in BC

LPNABC is comprised of five ‘chapters’ by 1969. These chapters are located in Comox/Cumberland/Campbell River, Chilliwack, White Rock/Surrey/Langley, Vernon, and Nanaimo.

On December 7, 1965, Practical Nursing is officially a regulated profession under BC legislation under the Health Professions Act. The Association is now officially registered as the Licensed Practical Nurses Association of BC (LPNABC).

Practical Nurses start lobbying to government for the ability to license Practical Nurses through PNABC.

Practical nurses and associated groups across BC launch letter writing campaigns to the Minister of Health regarding enacting the Practical Nurses Act previously passed but not enacted in 1951, and the implementation of additional practical nursing programs outside of the Vancouver area. The PNABC membership consists of approximately 750 members at this time.

The PNABC executive meet with and prepare briefs for the Ministry of Health several times per year during these years.

The Practical Nurses Act is passed in BC legislature but will not come into effect until 1965. The Practical Nurses Association of British Columbia (PNABC) is formed. The CNA Special Committee to Study Auxiliary Nursing Personnel makes several recommendations on the utilization of practical/assistant nurses as part of an effective health team model to best support patients.

The first class of Practical Nurses graduate in BC.

A Joint Planning Group in Nursing approached the BC provincial government to establish the training of practical nurses in the province.

Practical nurses, also known as nursing assistants, nursing aides, orderlies, and auxiliaries at this time, fill a need for nursing care during and post World War II.

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) first recognizes Practical Nurses in BC.