EDMONTON — Several LPNs in the Edmonton area are being told they can no longer work because their diplomas weren’t issued by an accredited school.
The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta says temporary licences issued to a small group of students are now considered void.
The issue stems from a CDI College course in Edmonton that is linked to the same course at Bow Valley College in Calgary.
A release issued by Bow Valley College explains that eight of CDI College’s practical nurse students were granted temporary licences by the CLPNA, based on diplomas issued by CDI College directly.
“This was done in error as CDI College does not have the authority to issue any diplomas for this program,” said the release.
“Bow Valley College issues diplomas after undertaking a rigorous review of each student’s academic and related records.
“Once the CLPNA became aware of these events, they were obligated to revoke the temporary licenses. BVC is working with CDI College to rectify this situation for each of the students to the extent possible in each case.”
Bow Valley officials say they have launched their own investigation and will from now on take a more active role in the monitoring and quality assurance of the program.
Linda Stanger, head of the CLPNA, says the decision to suspend the licences had to be made.
Stanger says there was no way the nurses could be allowed to continue working without the proper credentials.
To become a licensed practical nurse in Alberta, a candidate must pass a national licensing exam.
However, the CLPNA can issue temporary licences after receiving a diploma issued by an accredited school.