Pacific Health Care
Pacific Health Care ("PHC") operates 18 health care facilities in B.C. with more than 1 600 total beds, and it employs approximately 2 200 registered nurses ("RN") and 350 licensed practical nurses ("LPN"). PHC focuses its services on four "populations of emphasis": cardio-pulmonary risks and illnesses, mental health, renal risks and illness, and specialized needs in aging.
 

Administrators in PHC's facilities are worried about a looming shortage of RNs and LPNs and are already experiencing rising overtime and sick-time costs. A chronic shortage of specialty-trained nurses resulted in a six percent increase in overtime costs over the previous year. Specialty nurses took home $125 000 in overtime pay this past year. Median pay for a registered nurse with specialty knowledge and skills is $75 000 a year.
 

RNs and LPNs are not working to the fullest extent of their respective scopes of practice. RNs are in charge and given patient information and assignments, and LPNs "float" around helping with tasks such as taking vital signs and answering call bells. LPNs have limited patient information and are not encouraged to participate in patient care plans. Staff departures by retirement or resignation are increasing.

 

Each department is undertaking a detailed assessment of its staffing needs with the aim of working toward developing a staff complement that has the skills, capacity, and expertise to meet PHC's HR needs.

Refer to Scenario: Pacific Health Care. An LPN at PHC must be a current full practicing licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC). An individual worker's LPN license and other skill and knowledge requirements are matched to specific jobs at PHC. What is this process called?