Nursing College Announces Changes to Practice Hours Requirements
Nurses who previously did not meet the practice hours requirement may now be eligible to register
On March 12 the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) announced updates to its practice hours requirements. The changes allow registrants more flexibility in meeting the requirement and prevent them from becoming an unintentional barrier to practice.
Effective immediately, nursing professionals can now meet the practice hours requirement through one of two options:
- Recent Practice: Demonstrating sufficient recent practice over the last two years.
- Cumulative Hours: Practising the total minimum required hours over a five-year period (three years for nurse practitioners).
MINIMUM PRACTICE HOURS BY PROFESSION
| Profession | Option 1 - New! | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 450 hours in the preceding 2 years | 1,125 hours in the preceding 5 years |
| Registered Nurse | 450 hours in the preceding 2 years | 1,125 hours in the preceding 5 years |
| Registered Psychiatric Nurse | 560 hours in the preceding 2 years | 1,400 hours in the preceding 5 years |
The BCCNM Registration Department will be reviewing the applications of nurses who were previously denied renewal or registration because they did not meet the previous 1,125-hour requirement. Registration or renewal will be granted to applicants meeting the new practice hours criteria.
The changes are designed to ensure nurses can continue to practise while maintaining public safety and professional competency.
For more details, read the BCCNM Changes to Practice Hours Requirement Announcement or contact the BCNU LEAP Program at leap@bcnu.org.