Transitioning From A Licensed Practical Nurse

For the majority of nurses working within the field of modern medicine, one of the most difficult tasks associated with the job must be maintaining the tenuous balance between the pull of professional ambition and honoring the responsibility owed to their current role. Nursing remains one of the most stratified occupations in terms of recognized qualification, and a wide disparity exists between the positions of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) in terms of both experience and education. While standards vary from state to state, individual LPNs may be required to complete many of the same duties as their RN counterparts, including the administration of intravenous fluids, the withdrawal of blood for testing, and other crucial aspects of inpatient care. Despite the similar set of skills possessed by LPNs and RNs, the latter position commands a greater level of prestige and a significantly higher salary within the nursing field, and because of this many qualified LPN's aspire to attain the rank of RN in order to better their personal and professional lives. As a working LPN beginning the transition to future RN career, I have encountered many difficulties and obstacles which I feel will only strengthen my resolve and crystallize my ambitions. During the extensive reading required to gain the knowledge needed to work as an RN, a statement made by the authors of LPN to RN Transitions: Achieving Success In Your New Role resonated deeply with me, and I

Transitioning from an licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse is of the hardest things I have ever done. Twelve years ago I took my boards and became a licensed practical nurse. Going to school to become an LPN was difficult, but I was not a mother and I did not work full time as I do now. Getting to know the students I attend school with has made me realize that each student’s role transition is different, with unique outlooks and emotional roller coasters. In the following paragraphs I will preview licensed practical nurse to registered nurse role comparisons, my change in

The national shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) has helped generate formidable interest in the nursing profession among people entering the workforce and those pursuing a career change. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service in 2002, the national population is continuing to grow and age and medical services continue to advance, so the need for nurses will continue to increase. They report from 2000 to 2020 the predicted shortage of nurses is expected to grow to 29 percent, compared to a 6 percent shortage in 2000. With the projected supply, demand, and shortage of registered nurses and nursing salaries ever-increasing, the nursing profession can offer countless opportunities. But first one must

Both practice medication safety and monitor patients for potential side effects. All nurses practice to maintain a safe environment for their patients. They provide care to patients with many different illnesses and in many different specialty areas.

After more than a decade in his second career, aging registered nurse John Noble “knew as I got older, bedside nursing would potentially get harder.” He knew he eventually would need to move away from the bedside and took advantage of the hospital paying for further education. He chose a Master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) as it allowed him the flexibility to decide during school if we wanted to go into management, teaching, or become a practicing NP. In school he really liked the NP role, and the rest is history.

The duties of a mental health nurse depend on where they are located, but they all work toward the same broad goals (Career Cruising.) They want to help patients adjust to their environment and help them regain their mental health (Career Cruising.) Psych nurses are to assess, examine, diagnose and treat patients who have been diagnosed

A psychiatric nurse practitioner focuses on treating people with psychological illnesses often with a high level of severity. Serving as an addition to the treatment team he/she can work in a variety of settings. They are commonly employed in group practices or community settings and can provide medication management, counseling, and treatment planning and management. They will work with individuals, groups and families, to provide the best treatment for those with mental health issues. Nurses also contribute to the environment of mental health care by helping implement policy, reform, improvement and evaluation of the treatment available to patients. (www.apna.org)

Department of Labor (2014) it is said that LPNs train to help those in need of medical assistance. This includes constantly observing or checking a patient’s health, storing records on patient’s medical history, personal data, etc., helping patients with common needs or care, issuing basic comfort to their patient, and much more. Checking one’s blood pressure, helping one with bathing or dressing him or herself, listening to their patients problems or concerns, and changing bandages if needed is also included in this list. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2014) the job of an LPN may vary depending on the state they work in. It is also said in some states you are not allowed to give medication to a patient without proper training while in others you can without. The U.S. Department of Labor (2014) also says some states require LPNs with less training or experience to have supervision by one of higher ranking when helping

Most nurses decide to take this journey to transition because acute care settings are switching towards an overall RN health care provider, and this makes it harder for the LVN to find a position in the hospital. In my case, transitioning to a role of an RN means becoming more knowledgeable and confident as a nurse, as well as being able to do more for my patients. The expectations are higher of the RN’s even if they have some of the same duties as the LVN’s. In my understanding, the RN’s have to analyze issues even further and use critical thinking to determine what certain conditions are and how they relate to the patient. As an LVN with one year of experience working in home health, I have some experience with situations that require critical

A licensed practical nurse, or LPN, is someone who cares for patients to the best of their abilities. The responsibilities of a LPN will consists of various things. A LPN may be required to do things such as the following: managing IVs, recording medical history, taking vitals, giving immunizations or medication prescribed by doctors.

Licensed Practical Nurses only have to go through a one year training program and pass the National Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This is the fastest way for people who are interested in the medical field to get started right away. Registered Nurses, however, require a college education. Those who want to become an RN will have to go to school and receive their Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or an Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). If the person wants to get to work sooner, they will choose to just get an associate's degree, which only requires two years of study unlike a bachelor's degree which requires four. Mainly due to the salary difference between LPNs and RNs, becoming an RN is much more appealing to me. Additionally, there is not a large salary difference between registered nurses that have their associate's degree versus ones that have their bachelor's degree. A better option for me would to get an associate’s degree. At this point in my life, I am so eager to finish school. I can make a decent salary and live comfortably as an RN with an associate's degree. Perhaps in the future I may reconsider pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nursing. As of now, I am content with an Associates Degree in

Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse and physician, a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse provides patients with basic medical care. The type of care an LPN can give depends on the work setting or state he or she is employed.

In most departments of nursing, the transition from a nursing student to an employed or working nursing is always a challenging experience for many nursing students. Most graduates are ineffectually oriented to the nursing working environment. Generally, new nurses are not given an environment that is supportive for them to practice what they learnt during their training as nurses, regularly, the expectations they encounter are unrealistic.

The nursing profession has evolved tremendously over the years. Although we often work as a part of a health care team, as nurses, our role is so critical to the clients we serve that it cannot be replaced by any other team member. We are constantly striving to expand our capabilities, either through formal education or years of experience. We are fortunate enough to be part of an influential and rewarding field that enables us to impact the lives of a diverse community on a physical, mental, and emotion level.

The nursing profession offers an unlimited number of specialties and clinical areas for practice and employment focus. Nursing practice includes; surgery, labor and delivery, telemetry, intensive care unit, and even community nursing care. Furthermore, nurses can explore various degrees, ADN (associated in nursing diploma), baccalaureate nursing (BSN), and even nurse practitioner (NP) covering all areas of the healthcare spectrum. However; with the rise of healthcare needs within communities or populations many nurses are leaving the institutional setting and opting for a specific population centered care. How difficult is the transition from nurse working within a hospital to community based healthcare nurse? Throughout this paper the author will explore the transition and expected learning curve for community health nursing.