in BC there is a crisis nursing shortage. Lack of RNs create huge cost to taxpayers and poor health care delivery to the population. However there is an alternative that our government, MLAs and British Columbia Nurses Union will not address. LIcensed Practical Nurses of BC CAN reduce the nursing shortage but are not utilized as such in this province. Why does the provincial government not endorse full scope practice for LPNs? BC is far behind other provinces in utilizing their LPNs to full scope and saving tax dollars, thus providing better patient care. We ARE trained, we ARE ready, we ARE willing. LPNs are able and trained to work in emergency departments, operating rooms, home care nursing and many other tasks the province refuses to allow them to perform, instead hiring RNs at overtime for triple the cost. It's time to stop stating we have a nursing shortage and start staffing appropriately in this province. LPNS can relieve nursing shortages but the province of BC will not use them to full scope...its time to ask why, we can no longer afford not to$$$