April 2021The Blue Band

Blue Band Newsletter April 2021

The Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses is the regulatory authority for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in New Brunswick. Our mandate is protection of the public by promoting the provision of safe, competent, ethical and compassionate care by its registrants.

LPNs: Integral Members in the Fight Against COVID-19

It has been over a year since COVID-19 entered our lives and we all began adapting to this new reality. LPNs have been on the front lines throughout this pandemic and have worked tirelessly to keep New Brunswicker’s and themselves safe from this virus.

Most recently, LPNs have stepped up to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine as the next step against fighting this virus. Many of you have taken this opportunity to obtain your immunization education so that you could take part in the mass vaccination roll out clinics.

We are pleased to share the following LPNs experiences with the mass vaccination clinics and we want to thank all of you for your contributions throughout the pandemic.

Jolanda Carr, LPN

Jolanda has been administering the COVID-19 vaccine with Guardian Pharmacy in Riverside Albert, New Brunswick. "I was so happy with the immunization course offered by ANBLPN, how easy it was to access and I love my new job through Guardian Pharmacy! I want to thank the Association for having given me this opportunity".

Charlee Paul, LPN

Charlee works at the Kingsclear First Nation (KFN) and the clinics were held at KFN Health Centre in collaboration with Public Health. "I found the module great, helpful, easy to understand and navigate through. If anyone is planning on taking part in the vaccination clinics I would tell them to prepare well in advance as there is a lot of information to retain! Taking part in the COVID vaccine clinics gave me a sense of how great it is to work in a community practice environment. I am excited to participate in upcoming clinics for the second dose roll out within my community of Kingsclear".

Michelle Brideau, LPN

Michelle is administering the COVID-19 vaccine at the Jean Coutu Pharmacy in Tracadie. "I absolutely love working at the clinic as an LPN. It is with great pride that I get to be a part of the solution. I am so happy I decided to take the immunization module through ANBLPN as it opens up new opportunities for LPNs. The module was perfect to prepare me for this new role".

Aileen Anderson, LPN

Aileen works for Horizon Health in Fredericton and has taken part in their vaccination clinics. "I love working at these clinics. It is such a positive environment because most people are so happy to be getting their vaccine as it brings hope for a brighter future for all of us. I was happy to be able to do the immunization module through ANBLPN - it was straight forward, I could do it on my own time on-line and was only $50.00. It is a great feeling as an LPN to be able to do my part for the community to fight COVID-19 and hopefully bring an end to this pandemic".

Immunization Resources

We have created and updated resources pertaining to immunization that we encourage all LPNs to review. These resources serve as guidelines to support your practice in immunization.

IMMUNIZATION: PRACTICE GUIDELINE

We have recently revised our practice guideline for Immunization to outline the requirements that must be met prior to participating in this nursing intervention.

PRACTICE GUIDELINE

Q & A: COVID-19 VACCINATION

In response to the increased number of LPNs gaining competency in immunization and administering the COVID vaccine, we've developed a quick Q&A sheet to help answer your most common questions.

Q & A: COVID VACCINATION

Immunization Module

We are continuing to offer our Immunization Module on a monthly basis and several LPNs have been employed with pharmacies to administer the vaccine.

Immunization is an advanced competency for all LPNs. This module will provide LPNs with the additional educational theory required to provide immunizations. Once the theory is obtained, LPNs can then work with their employers to achieve their clinical mentorship. Be ready for flu season and the COVID-19 vaccine!

Cost: $50.00 (plus tax)

If you would like to register please email: practiceconsultant@npls.ca

LPN DAY - MAY 13TH, 2021

Each year we celebrate LPN Day on May 13th, which coincides with the national nursing week. After an extrodinary year, now more than ever, we want to celebrate our nursing professionals for the exempleary, compassionate care that they have shown throughout the pandemic. ANBLPN is organizing a variety of ways to honor and say THANK YOU to our fellow LPN members.

Organizations have been forwarded packages to nominate those LPNs who have gone above and beyond while collaborating with the health care team in a professional manner. Winners will receive various prize packages from ANBLPN with a grand prize of free registration for 2022! Winners will be announced on LPN Day!

Additionally, we are excited to be launching our new website on LPN Day and pleased to offer you some free virtual education on this day as well! Sessions will be recorded and uploaded to our website if you are unable to attend. If you plan to attend you must pre-register using the corresponding link.

The virtual sessions will include two options:

Webinar: ANBLPN Website Launch. Join us LIVE as we launch our new website and show you how to navigate the site as well as our new database. Our new website has been streamlined for ease of accessibility with a more modern feel to coincide with our new logo. We'll also review several features within our new database that are accessible to you.

Date: May 13th, 2021

Time: 10:00 AM (English) or 1:00 PM (French)

Webinar: Compassion in Nursing: Use it or Lose it. Join us LIVE with our special guest speaker, Susanne Priest, RN MN.

Date: May 13th, 2021

Time: 11:00 AM (English) or 2:00 PM (French)

WATCH YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMING DAYS FOR THE WEBINAR INVITES AND REGISTRATION LINKS!

Annual General Meeting & Education Day

Due to the on-going pandemic situation, it has been decided by the Board of Directors to defer our Annual General Meeting and Education Day to October 2021. It is uncertain at this time whether this will be offered virtually or in-person but we will continue to follow the recommendations set forth by Public Health.

ANBLPN will keep you updated on the finalized date and format of 2021's AGM and Education Day as we progress through the pandemic.

Call for Nominations: Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Members at Large

As per our current By-Laws (2017), nominations for upcoming vacancies for ANBLPNs Executive Board of Directors; Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary are now open!

Candidates who are interested in executive committee positions must have previous board experience.

If you know an LPN who has a desire to uphold ANBLPNs mandate to serve and protect the public, preserve the integrity of practical nursing and maintain public confidence in the ability of practical nurses we encourage you to nominate them!

Please click the link to access the nomination form and send your nominations to lpninfo@npls.ca by August 2nd, 2021

BOARD NOMINATIONS PACKAGE

Call for Members At Large to be nominated for Region I (Moncton, Sackville) and Region II (Saint John, Sussex, Charlotte County) for a three-year term.

Commitments include attending board meetings (4 times per year), participating in ANBLPN committees, attending the AGM and Education Day, meeting preparation and communications. You are responsible to represent and protect the best interest of the public, develop an understanding of LPN Regulation and ANBLPN legislation, represent and support council decisions and conduct oneself in a professional manner.

Please click the link to access the nomination forms and send your nominations to lpninfo@npls.ca by August 2nd, 2021

NOMINATION FORM

NOMINEE BIOGRAPHY

Public Member

ANBLPN is seeking a Public Member to join our Board of Directors for a three-year term.

Public members are individuals who are not, nor have never been an LPN and as such they will help:

- Provide balance to Board decisions that can favor the profession;
- Build confidence and trust within the public and government;
- Expand the range of skills, talent, training and perspectives available which enhances Board actions;
- Work to inspire re-evaluation of current practices and procedures in the profession;
- Help reduce barriers that might discourage a citizen from approaching the board and
- Ensure that the governing board is representative of the public.

Those wishing to submit an application should possess the following qualifications:

- Be a person who is not now, nor has ever been a Licensed Practical Nurse
- Have an interest in the New Brunswick health care system, knowledge of the nursing profession and a member in good standing within the community
- Represent the general public and not the interest of a particular group
- Not be related to or affiliated with spouses, parents, children or siblings who are registrants of the Association
- Possess good communication skills, honesty, business abilities and have an interest in public protection
- Previous board experience would be an asset

Please submit your application by August 2nd, 2021.

APPLICATION FORM

UPDATED: Standards of Practice for LPNs in Canada

Our Standards of Practice has recently been updated to the 2020 version. We encourage all LPNs to review these new Standards and stay up to date on their professional and ethical obligations as self-regulated health care professionals.

2020 STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

Reminder: Pre-Authorized Debit Option

Pre-Authorized Debit payment options for your 2022 license is now available through the ANBLPN system. If you are still interested you can join at anytime throughout the year!

Monthly payments of $36.12 will be withdrawn from you account from January 15th, 2021 - September 15th, 2021 (if you are joining after January 15th, 2021 you will pay the difference after the September payment is withdrawn).

To sign up for this program please login to your ANBLPN account and look under the side bar "Sign up for PAD". Enter your Bank #, Branch #, and Account # - that's all you need to do!

In Memoriam

ANBLPN would like to express thier sympathies on the recent passing of Syliva Noftell, LPN. Sylvia graduated in 1972 from the RNA program in Saint John and retired in 2011 after 25+ years at the Loch Lomond Villa in Saint John.

Stay connected with ANBLPN!

As a self-regulating professional, LPNs are responsible to stay informed on regulatory requirements. Ensuring that you are connected with ANBLPN is a great way to keep yourself informed. ANBLPN reaches out to their members through our website, newsletter, emails and social media.

The ANBLPN website (www.anblpn.ca) has many resources to assist LPNs with their practice, continuing education and more!

ANBLPN also uses two social media platforms: Facebook and now Instagram! This is a great way to stay connected and become aware of what is new and upcoming! Be sure to follow us at: https://www.facebook.com/anblpn/ and https://www.instagram.com/anblpn/

Get more out of your LPN membership!

Take advantage of your member benefits
As a trusted partner, the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Program is dedicated to helping ANBLPN members get access to preferred insurance rates on car, home, condo and tenant coverage.

For more information or to get a quote visit www.tdinsurance.com/anblpn or call 1-866-293-9730.

Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses
384 Smythe Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 3E4
Tel: 506-453-0747 | Toll Free: 1-800-942-0222 | Fax: 506-459-0503