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These are questions some LPNs - especially newer members of the profession - have been asking themselves and members of HEU's LPN advisory committee over the course of the BCNU raid.
Looking back, LPNs in B.C. have come a long way since they were almost eliminated from the health care team in the late 80s.
When B.C. was facing an RN shortage in 1990, HEU pushed for more LPNs, leading to a hiring boom that continues to this day.
Later in the 90s, recognizing that LPNs had more to offer the health care system, HEU advocated for expanding LPN utilization.
As a result, LPNs took on greater roles in residential and acute care. By 2002, LPNs had a new full scope benchmark designation.
In 2006, HEU adopted a strategy to push for greater professional autonomy for LPNs, that would not only seek greater utilization, but would expand LPN practice in areas where care has traditionally been delivered solely by registered nurses.
Looking forward, LPNs are poised to reap the benefits of the work that HEU has championed in the past 20 years.
The regulation governing LPNs under the Health Professions Act is now under review for the first time in 11 years. As part of this review, the provincial government is moving to a "restricted activities" model for LPNs.
This new model would set out particular "restricted" activities LPNs can perform, including those that can be performed independently.
HEU has a solid track record of advocating on behalf of LPNs. And moving forward, HEU has a clear strategy for advancing LPNs' professional interests.
And the BCNU?
They don't have a plan to increase LPN utilization, particularly in areas where care is traditionally delivered by an RN.
They can't guarantee LPNs' professional interests will be front-and-centre in an RN-dominated union.
They have remained silent with respect to greater independence and autonomy for LPNs' profession.