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NAPE says LPNs have become 'a tangible part of the nursing team' in Newfoundland and Labrador as they have elsewhere in Canada.
St. John's (6 Jan. 2010) - The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) says it's time to reclassify licenced practical nurses (LPNs) to reflect the much broader duties they now perform.
NAPE president Carol Furlong says the role of LPNs has been changing steadily and they have now taken on much more responsibility within the overall health care system.
"They're giving out medications," she argues. "They're doing health care assessments... In other provinces the LPNS are a very tangible part of the nursing team, and we see that's what's happening here in this province."
Furlong also says there is a serious shortage of LPNs in Newfoundland and Labrador and steps must be taken to increase their numbers and to make their wages more competitive.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
• More permanent positions needed to solve LPN shortage