Discussion: Top Of Form Activity Time - 3 Hours

Discussion Top of Formactivity Time 3 Hour Additional Time For Stu

Discussion Topic: Consider the role of the LPN and the RN in the nursing process. How would the LPN and RN collaborate to develop the nursing plan of care to ensure the patient is achieving their goal? What are the role expectations for the LPN and RN in the nursing process? Use at least one credible resource to support your discussion (topic). For example, a credible resource could be the State Board of Nursing website, a textbook, or a journal article. Be sure to use in-text citations and list your references in APA format at the end of your discussion.

Paper For Above instruction

The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered approach that guides nurses in delivering effective and personalized care. It involves five key steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Both Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) play integral roles in this process, working collaboratively to develop and implement comprehensive care plans aimed at achieving patient goals.

Roles and Responsibilities of RNs and LPNs in the Nursing Process

Registered Nurses (RNs) serve as the primary coordinators of the nursing process. They possess a broad scope of practice, including comprehensive assessment, diagnosing health conditions, planning individualized care, overseeing implementation, and evaluating outcomes (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). RNs are expected to utilize critical thinking skills to interpret data accurately and develop evidence-based nursing diagnoses and interventions. They also play a supervisory role over LPNs and other healthcare team members, ensuring that care plans are properly executed and adjusted as necessary.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), on the other hand, primarily focus on implementing care under the supervision and direction of RNs. Their responsibilities include performing basic assessments, administering medications, providing direct patient care, and reporting patient responses to the RN (State Board of Nursing, 2021). LPNs contribute valuable clinical observations that inform the planning and evaluation stages of the nursing process. Their role emphasizes the practical application of nursing knowledge and skills in ongoing patient care.

Collaboration in Developing the Nursing Plan of Care

Effective collaboration between RNs and LPNs is essential in developing a patient-centered nursing plan of care. The process begins with accurate assessment, where RNs may conduct comprehensive evaluations, while LPNs provide ongoing monitoring and report changes in the patient's condition. This combined effort ensures a complete understanding of the patient's needs.

During the diagnosis phase, RNs interpret assessment data and formulate nursing diagnoses; LPNs support this process by providing detailed clinical observations. In the planning stage, RNs develop care goals and select appropriate interventions, guiding LPNs on their execution. LPNs then implement specific aspects of the plan, such as administering medications and providing personal care, with the RN overseeing overall progress.

Throughout implementation, continuous communication is vital. RNs monitor outcomes, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and modify care plans accordingly, often relying on LPNs' reports. This collaboration fosters a dynamic and responsive care environment where patient goals are systematically achieved.

Role Expectations in the Nursing Process

The expectations for RNs include clinical judgment, leadership, and accountability for the entire nursing process. They are expected to perform comprehensive assessments, develop detailed care plans, and evaluate patient outcomes. RNs also provide supervision and guidance to LPNs, ensuring standards of care are maintained and legal responsibilities are met.

LPNs are expected to follow the directives of RNs and automatically perform assigned tasks within their scope of practice. They provide direct patient care, assist with data collection, and observe for signs of deterioration. Their role is vital in ensuring consistent and timely care, supporting RN oversight, and maintaining patient safety and comfort.

Conclusion

In summary, RNs and LPNs collaborate strategically within the nursing process to ensure optimal patient outcomes. RNs lead the development of the nursing care plan through comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, planning, and evaluation, while LPNs execute their assigned responsibilities, providing invaluable ongoing data. Clear role expectations and effective teamwork are essential for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. This collaboration maximizes the strengths of each role and advances healthcare quality and safety.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). ANA Publishing.

State Board of Nursing. (2021). Practical nursing scope of practice. State Board of Nursing Website. https://www.nursingboard.state.gov

Craig, J., & Smyth, R. (2017). The nursing process: Incorporating evidence-based practice. John Wiley & Sons.

Herdman, T. H., & Kamitsuru, S. (2014). Nursing diagnoses: Definitions and classification 2015-2017. NANDA International.

Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., & Hall, A. M. (2017). Fundamentals of nursing (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Wallace, M. (2018). Teamwork and collaboration in nursing: Concepts and practices. Nursing Management, 29(2), 22-28.

Wilkinson, J. M., & Treas, L. S. (2017). Fundamentals of health care leadership and management. Pearson.

Berman, A., Snyder, S., & Frandsen, G. (2016). Kozier & Erb's fundamentals of nursing (10th ed.). Pearson.

Kozier, B., Erb, G., & Berman, A. (2018). Fundamentals of nursing (3rd ed.). Pearson.