Reference no: EM133228414

Question: Using the American Nurses Association's (ANA) definition of nursing, discuss how you will be using autonomy, responsibility and accountability in your nursing practice. 2) Review the attached documents about LPN vs RN Scope of Practice --give 2 examples of how RN practice differs from LPN practice.

LPNs vs RNs
RN and LPN: two different sets of initials on different name badges - and often two very different roles. Registered nurses (RN) have, at the minimum, a two-year degree or three-year diploma. Many have baccalaureate degrees. RNs have an expanded set of duties and are more frequently employed in hospital settings. They, RNs, are generally expected to do more critical thinking on the job.
Licensed practical nurses (LPN) have about a year of nursing education, often culminating in a certificate. A minority complete longer programs and walk away with a degree - often an Associate of Applied Science (AAS).

The role of an LPN is, as the name suggests, practical. LPNs are expected to report even minor changes in patient care to a registered nurse or other medical professional. As for what they actually do on the job, often it's a lot!

Work Settings
More licensed practical nurses work in long term care than in any other setting. In these settings, they have opportunities to move up in the ranks, often supervising nursing assistants who perform the most basic duties (for example, bathing or changing bed pans). The NLN reported in 2011 that newly licensed LPNs in long term care were almost six times as likely to have administrative responsibilities as their counterparts in hospitals were. In hospitals, LPN duties, as well as advancement opportunities, are more limited. You'll find LPNs taking vitals and sometimes administering medications. You won't find them caring for premature infants in the neonatal ward. They won't have as many options for specialization.

Work settings are varied. The BLS reports that 29% of LPNs work in nursing care facilities, 15% in hospitals, 12% in doctor's offices, and 9% in home health. For RNs, hospitals are the most common setting, with 48% in private general hospitals and 6% in local hospitals. Only 5% work in long term care.

Demand for LPNs and RNs
Nursing is one of the few fields where there is more demand at the higher levels of practice than the lower ones. Nationwide, there are far more RNs with active licenses than LPNs -- 3,236,288 to 816,687. Why? Their skills - and legally allowable duties -- are needed.
Both fields are growing, but the registered nursing field is growing a little faster. The BLS has predicted 22% job growth for LPNs between 2010 and 2020. For RNs, the projection is 26%.

Geographic Differences
It is important to be aware that there are different scopes of practice in different states. States have varying policies regarding IV therapy, for example. Some states allow LPNs a range of IV duties, but require additional coursework or certification.

There are also geographic differences in work setting. Many states have workforce centers, and in some states, the board releases detailed information about licensees. Both sources can give a state-specific portrait of the profession. A 2005 Georgia survey found 29.4% of practical nurses employed in nursing homes/ long term care, 28.8% in hospitals, and 14.1% in medical practices (like doctor's offices). A 2011 South Dakota report found 31% of practical nurses employed in long term care.