...Transition: LPN to RN…Is it the right decision for everyone? The debate is as old as the professions themselves, and in a society where success is most often measured by “climbing the corporate ladder” the choice between becoming an LPN/LVN or an RN is not always easy. While an RN license provides more opportunities for promotion, an LPN/LVN license can be earned more quickly with less time needed in school. Nurses at all levels face the challenge of balancing work with school, family obligations and other external commitments, and often, these factors play a large role in determining available finances and time available for educational pursuits. For people considering a nursing career, RN programs are sometimes excluded as most classes are daylight programs. Accelerated and evening programs exist, but clinicals and preceptorships are generally offered during the day. LPN training programs, being shorter to begin with, are much more flexible and usually offer part-time, night, and weekend hours. As people evaluate the career choice that’s right for them, educators must work to match the student with the best career fit, and it’s equally important for future nurses to understand the requirements and potential benefits of careers and an LPN/LVN and RN. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, known as LPNs or LVNs, depending on the state in which they work, provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Typically tasks such as changing...
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... They care for patients who are sick, injured, recovering or disabled. A licensed practical nurse is also known as a licensed vocational nurse or LVN. The job involves a variety of daily tasks ranging from dressing wounds to feeding infants. On the job, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses perform a variety of functions. These functions can be maintaining records of patients' histories, provide dressing or bathing assistance, update doctors and registered nurses on a patient's status, measure vital signs, assist doctors and registered nurses with tests and procedures, caring for and feeding infants, assemble and or use and clean certain medical equipment, start IV drips or give medication, and monitor medication and a patient's response. Most LPNs are trained to work in all aspects of health care, but there are some who specialize in certain areas. LPN’s or LVN’s can be found in all kinds of medical settings like hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, nursing homes and even in a patient's own home. Many LPN’s and LVN’s work nights, weekends, and holidays, because medical care takes place at all hours. They may be required to work shifts of longer than 8 hours. The first step toward this career path is the completion of a state-approved, year-long, training program in nursing. Unlike other nursing jobs, an LPN or LVN doesn't need a bachelor's degree or higher to...
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...nursing shortage is creating ever greater challenges for those who must fill nursing vacancies at all levels --- LVNs, RNs, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in various specialties. As efforts to invent new ways to fill this growing void expand, the Board is receiving a growing number of calls to clarify the term “continuing education” in relation to how far a nurse can expand his/her practice with informal continuing education offerings. The formal education for entry into nursing practice in Texas is differentiated between vocational and professional (registered) nursing. Formalized education for advanced practice also requires completion of a formal program of education in the advanced practice role and population focus at the master’s or postmaster’s level. The Board believes that for a nurse to successfully make a transition from one level of nursing practice to the next requires the completion of a formal program of education as defined in the applicable board rule. The Board also believes that completion of on-going, informal continuing education offerings, such as workshops or on-line offerings in a specialty area, serve to expand and maintain the competency of the nurse at the current level of licensure. No amount of informal or on-the-job-training can qualify a LVN to perform the same level of care as the RN. Likewise, the RN cannot engage in aspects of care that require independent medical judgement in a given APRN role and population focus...
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...LPN to RN Role Transition: Differences and Strategies for Success Taylor Birleffi Indiana State University LPN to RN Role Transition: Differences and Strategies for Success The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) role has involved certain role expectations and behaviors that are similar to the nursing roles of the Registered Nurse (RN). Although many may recognize the similar roles these two nurses have, there are various differences that exist between the two particularly those trained at the Baccalaureate level. These role differences are demonstrated through written regulations, knowledge base and practice roles, and the skills and abilities of both professional roles. Both the LPN and RN have regulations at the state level...
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...enormous transition. Up to this point nursing has played an essential role in the delivery and management of care. To continue to play a pivotal role nursing must elevate its practice to meet the needs of an ever changing health care delivery system. Advances in nursing practice will aide in changing and making health care more affordable, safe and effective. This paper will discuss how nursing, as a profession, can rise to the occasion through elevation of education, primary care practice, and leadership as outlined in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report: The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. This paper will also discuss how the author will alter personal practice to meet the goals of the IOM report. Education Advancement The Need for Advancement Since its inauguration nursing education has progressed and reformed to meet the needs of the client and the health care delivery system of the time. Issues in health care have influenced the role of education in preparing nurses to deliver safe and effective care and advocate for their patients. Nursing shortages have prompted multiple levels of education for entry level nurses. There are three pathways that have existed for nurses to become an RN. The Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), the associate degree in nursing (ADN), and the diploma in nursing. There is also another undergraduate level of nursing for prospective nurses to pursue, the licensed practical/vocational diploma in nursing (LPN/LVN). The LPN/LVN...
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...Better Equipping Nurses Prior To Graduation Sean P Buckley Grand Canyon University Positive patient outcomes are the goal of all nursing interventions. Reaching that goal requires effort on the part of any nurse. The effort required and the path to which the goal is achieved can vary greatly among nurses pursuing the same outcome for the same patient in the same setting. All practicing nurses have achieved a level of demonstrated competency by passing the same standardized testing criteria. Many of these nurses will have arrived to that level of competency by very dissimilar means. There exists a level at which a nurse is expected to function. There is also a level at which a nurse can aspire to perform. Preparing student nurses in a manner that gives them the opportunity to exceed functional expectations is not only in the student’s interest. It serves the interest of the patient, the organization and the nurse herself. That preparation begins in the program of education in which they choose to enroll. Oermann et al., (2010) state, “(n)ew graduates report that they are not prepared for practice and lack essential knowledge and clinical competencies, for example, caring for multiple patients, administering medications to large groups of patients, performing procedures, prioritizing care, supervising others and delegating tasks, communicating with physicians, and using information technology (p???.).” The practice of nursing is immensely complicated and obscure to new nurses...
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...Running head: FUTURE TRENDS Future Trends in Nursing Carol J. LaRatta Professional Dynamics 430v 01/22/2012 Future Trends in Nursing The world is evolving and so is the medical profession. Will the future trends in nursing practice, nursing education and nursing leadership be the influencing factors on how we as individuals take part in leading the way for better opportunities and a higher quality of care for our patients? You be the judge. The need and desire for a higher level of education will never end. We, as individuals are in control of our future and we are the ones who decide where we want to take it. There are so many opportunities available to those who wish to take responsibility for their careers. The workplace is changing rapidly everyday and with it we must actively participate and voice our concerns to be heard. Becoming proactive in discovering and implementing new ideas whether it is at the management or organizational level, political level or at the patient’s bedside, we must unite and work as a team to excel to the next level. To promote change it takes a strong leader with creative ideas to make a difference. Anyone can be a leader but that does not mean people will follow. We must actively voice our concerns and opinions at meetings, advisory committees and to the boards where policy decisions are made. Nurses were not seen as leaders in the past but we must continue to change that. Creating new partnerships with physicians, clinicians, business...
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...Before RN-BSN Program When I came to United States thirteen years ago, I never thought I was going to do so much and get so far. My initial dream was to become a nurse with the vocation of serving others and to become a part of the team that would save lives. The transition of this dream has been made in several steps beginning by graduating as a LVN, obtaining an associate degree and currently to finish my Bachelor’s Degree. Many aspects of my life have been influenced including my self-image, short and long terms goals, philosophies, attitudes, actions, experiences, interests, and more importantly my professional role in nursing and in society. As a new graduate with my Associate Degree in Nursing, the first feeling I experienced was fear and uncertainty about my future as a nurse. This feeling was due to my observing of how demanding this profession was during my clinical rotations. I had this strong sensation that nursing was my niche but I was afraid of failure. My perception was limited with what was expected in this profession that I considered as being primarily to care for the sick and to provide for them by learning about the diagnosis and medications. I visualized myself only passing my internship and being a “safe nurse” on the hall. At the time, I just had a subtle idea, only in theory, that nursing was a dimensional profession. My goals working in the hospital were very elementary goals. First, I needed to pass the Performance Test (PBDS) given by the hospital...
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...the RWJF Initiative on the Future of Nursing. Currently the nation is at a point where health care reform is being implemented and the healthcare system has begun to change. Both of these organizations sought the possibility of empowering nurses to become partners in improving the health care system and in the delivery of high quality care. Their collaborative efforts resulted in the 2010 IOM report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health which addresses and has recommendations for a number of issues which include transforming nursing education, transforming nursing practice, and transforming nursing leadership. The IOM report explains some of the educational pathways that a student may take to obtain a registered nurse (RN) degree. From the licensed...
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...much vital information as possible. Once all necessary information is compiled, the team works together to get to the root(s) of the problem. In the case of Mr. B, there were multiple issues that led to the adverse event as opposed to one root problem. In the process of defining the problem, several causal factors were identified. The error was a result of both facility and human error. Mr. B, a 67-year-old patient, presented to the small, six-room, rural hospital ED due to severe pain in his left hip following a fall. In his quest for care, he came across some hurdles that eventually led to his death. Amongst one of the many issues that led to complications was the fact that the hospital was short staffed with only one RN, Nurse J., and one LVN on shift. There was also only one ED physician, Dr. T. At the time of Mr. B’s arrival, two other patients were being...
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...The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12956.html Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine PREPUBLICATION COPY: UNCORRECTED PROOFS Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12956.html THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance. This study was supported by Contract No. 65815 between the National Academy of Sciences and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organizations or agencies that provided support for this project. International Standard Book Number 0-309-XXXXX-X (Book) International Standard Book Number 0-309- XXXXX -X (PDF) Library of Congress Control Number: 00 XXXXXX Additional copies of this report are available from the National Academies...
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...A kid with Hepatitis A can return to school 1 week within the onset of jaundice. 2. After a patient has dialysis they may have a slight fever...this is normal due to the fact that the dialysis solution is warmed by the machine. 3. Hyperkalemia presents on an EKG as tall peaked T-waves 4. The antidote for Mag Sulfate toxicity is ---Calcium Gluconate 5. Impetigo is a CONTAGEOUS skin disorder and the person needs to wash ALL linens and dishes seperate from the family. They also need to wash their hands frequently and avoid contact. positive sweat test. indicative of cystic fibrosis 1. Herbs: Black Cohosh is used to treat menopausal symptoms. When taken with an antihypertensive, it may cause hypotension. Licorice can increase potassium loss and may cause dig toxicity. 2. With acute appendicitis, expect to see pain first then nausea and vomiting. With gastroenitis, you will see nausea and vomiting first then pain. 3. If a patient is allergic to latex, they should avoid apricots, cherries, grapes, kiwi, passion fruit, bananas, avocados, chestnuts, tomatoes and peaches. 4. Do not elevate the stump after an AKA after the first 24 hours, as this may cause flexion contracture. 5. Beta Blockers and ACEI are less effective in African Americans than Caucasians. 1. for the myelogram postop positions. water based dye (lighter) bed elevated. oil based dye heavier bed flat. 2.autonomic dysreflexia- elevated bed first....then check foley...
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