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Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). LPNs are the second-largest regulated nursing profession in Alberta and Canada. All provinces and territories in Canada have LPNs who work in a variety of settings. In Ontario, LPNs are called Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs)19. Registered Nurses (RN). RNs, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs), represent the largest regulated health care provider group in Alberta and Canada. RNs and NPs must register with CARNA to practice in Alberta and must meet the requirements for RN/NP practice in Alberta. All provinces and territories have RNs/NPs who work in a variety of settings. Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN). RPNs are psychiatric nurses focused on the overall mental and developmental health of clients20. RPNs are regulated separately in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. RPNs must register with CRPNA to practice psychiatric nursing in Alberta.
Types of Employment LPNs in Alberta can work as an employee or as a self-employed individual (known in legal terms as an independent contractor).
Working as an Employee The majority of LPNs work as employees within publicly funded health facilities operated by the Government of Alberta21 through Alberta Health Services (AHS) www.albertahealthservices.ca, Covenant Health www.covenanthealth.ca, or multiple private health care organizations. Alberta Health Services (AHS)22 is the health authority for the public health system in the province of Alberta. AHS is the primary employer of the majority of Alberta’s LPNs. AHS delivers medical care on behalf of the Government of Alberta’s Department of Health and Wellness through 400 facilities throughout the province, including hospitals, clinics, continuing care facilities, mental health facilities and community health sites, while providing a variety of programs and services. Covenant Health23 is Canada’s largest faith-based publicly funded provider of healthcare, serving 12
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