Laura Crawford in CARE – Special History Edition | College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta

Laura Crawford

Even before the Professional Council of Registered Nursing Assistants launched and took over registration and certification for Alberta’s practical nurses (then called RNAs) in the mid-1980s, registered nurse Laura Crawford pushed for improved RNA education and training.

In around 1978 — long before RNAs were typically offered post-basic training opportunities — Crawford was hired by the union representing RNAs to cross the province to offer catheterization training to Alberta’s practical nurses. “She was the first one that ever tried to get a bit of education out to the LPNs,” beyond the patchwork of on-the-job training done by employers, Rita McGregor (retired CLPNA Director) remembers.

In honour of the significant contributions Crawford made in improving the educational and training opportunities available to today’s licensed practical nurses, the CLPNA established the Laura Crawford Excellence in Nursing Practice award, given each year to an LPN nominated by her or his peers. In keeping with the example set by Crawford herself, the award focuses not only on nominees’ knowledge, skills, and judgment in practice, but also their efforts to bolster teamwork, professional pride, and mentorship.