Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,059 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
| No. 50 | 
May 24, 2008, 09:28 AM
 Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards
Personally, I think one of the big problems with current nursing programs, LPN or RN, is the emphasis on "critical thinking" and the lack of extensive clinical training. The 3-year ADN's I know were running their floors at graduation and spent most of their time IN the hospital caring for patients. I have heard too many instructors say that once you get to the floor you'll pull it all together.
I was taught critical thinking from the time I could talk by parents who thought themselves and expected their children to do the same.
The experienced LPN's with whom I've worked have often been a bit too married to the care plan and unwilling to deviate from what was written down. We were not trained to work independently and just because LTC's aren't willing to pay for RN's doesn't mean that we aren't often practicing beyond our scope and ability.
As to California and those states that make it next to impossible for an LPN to become an RN, take that up with the RN's who make those rules. They are overly protective of their status IMHO, but that doesn't mean that more educatin isn't necessary. It means, once again, that nurses are their own worst enemies.
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 52 |
May 24, 2008, 10:22 AM
Updated
May 24, 2008 at 11:34 AM by NursesRmofun
Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards Originally Posted by Suesquatch  Personally, I think one of the big problems with current nursing programs, LPN or RN, is the emphasis on "critical thinking" and the lack of extensive clinical training. The 3-year ADN's I know were running their floors at graduation and spent most of their time IN the hospital caring for patients. I have heard too many instructors say that once you get to the floor you'll pull it all together.
I was taught critical thinking from the time I could talk by parents who thought themselves and expected their children to do the same.
The experienced LPN's with whom I've worked have often been a bit too married to the care plan and unwilling to deviate from what was written down. We were not trained to work independently and just because LTC's aren't willing to pay for RN's doesn't mean that we aren't often practicing beyond our scope and ability.
As to California and those states that make it next to impossible for an LPN to become an RN, take that up with the RN's who make those rules. They are overly protective of their status IMHO, but that doesn't mean that more educatin isn't necessary. It means, once again, that nurses are their own worst enemies.
I am not sure that it is that RNs do not want LPNs to get ahead. However, that said,- I think a lot of RNs feel that there are 'dues to be paid' (on the more selfish and human side) and education to be had....which is the more legitimate side, IMO.
I *did* learn a lot in my RN program. Just for added info- I did not go to a short cut program for LPN to RN either, although I do believe in such programs! There just aren't many good ones out there, IMO!
I have to say,- I was not one of the LPNs who practiced outside of my scope of practice when I was an LPN. I was trained to do extra skills like IV therapy, but it was in my scope of practice once I learned the skill. I never worked with central lines because it was not in my scope of practice in my state. I did not do a full assessment on my patients. The RN I was working with was responsible for that.
| | No. 54 |
May 24, 2008, 11:39 AM
Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards Originally Posted by Suesquatch I certainly don't believe that of most RN's. I have to wonder, though, why certain states make it next to impossible for an LPN to get to the next level without going f/t.
Some people don't believe in short cuts, I guess. Perhaps they believe everyone should do all the work.
I think there should be a good LPN to RN program lasting 1 year (full time) - and maybe 2 years (part-time), in every community. I don't think LPNs need the first year of the RN program! I think they need the 2nd year of the Assoc. Degree program along with the degree credit courses- the basic AAS/AS courses.
I went part-time for three years. It was three years that would have passed by anyway. I was lucky to go to a local community college and only spent about $3000 to go back for the full part-time (evening) program....give or take.
| | No. 56 |
May 24, 2008, 12:53 PM
Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards
I think that we are arguing and we're on the same side.
| | No. 57 |
May 24, 2008, 01:45 PM
Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards
My college has a bridge program for LPN to RN, and my friends that took it told me that essentially, it was no different from the LPN program they just completed in regard to content. They said there was a bigger emphasis on assessment and delegation, but otherwise, they considered it to be a waste of time. I do hear of repetitiveness regarding the skills portion, though, which, to me, is silly, but maybe some revamping will do.
While the average RN may not have issues with encouraging LPNs to go further or even widening our scope of practice, I suspect that the ANA does. What is annoying to me is that it seems that the ANA only supports RNs, not all NURSES (meaning us). Their decisions have an impact on us, yes, but we are not considered or included in their decision making process, which totally disregards us. I also think that if RNs were able to collectively advocate for team nursing, where everyone at the table can eat, it would take a load off of them. Again, I am not saying that the mainstream RNs working are against us, I am speaking of the powers that be.
And, sure, I agree with Sue, that we are emphasis on critical thinking and theory is prioritized over extensive clinical training. It is not always true that it will all tie together once you hit the floor, because the floor expects us to come in running. Most of the senior nurses had that extensive training-we didn't. Most programs seem to have two days a week, and not even a full shift. They prepared us to sit for NCLEX, but not necessarily how to survive nursing life. How can one apply critical thinking to nursing with no experience?? And, from what I notice, a new grad LPN as well as RN walks out of school green as grass these days, with not much to apply to daily situations. It is a matter of surviving the jungle. There is a real culture gap between what is currently taught verses the seasoned nurses and their expectations (since their schooling was more intense with clinical experiences than ours was).
| | No. 58 |
May 24, 2008, 02:35 PM
Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards Originally Posted by pagandeva2000 My college has a bridge program for LPN to RN, and my friends that took it told me that essentially, it was no different from the LPN program they just completed in regard to content. They said there was a bigger emphasis on assessment and delegation, but otherwise, they considered it to be a waste of time. I do hear of repetitiveness regarding the skills portion, though, which, to me, is silly, but maybe some revamping will do.
Not to argue...but I respectfully disagree that there is no difference between an LPN and a RN program. That would be silly....and it is not true. Actually, I have never even heard that rumored before. If it were a bridge program, it should be covering what was *not* covered in the other program. Doesn't make any sense, I am afraid. If it did happen, those students were shorted an education.
| | No. 59 |
May 24, 2008, 02:39 PM
Re: LPN Petition to Take RN Boards Originally Posted by Suesquatch I think that we are arguing and we're on the same side.
Sometimes a healthy discussion will sound like arguing. People have to remember that because people disagree, it does not have to involve being angry. Remain objective and try not to get insulting....that is my motto. You do have to understand and remember that certain things do trigger misunderstanding or anger is all. I try to be factual. If something sounds nonsensical, I will state that.
|
| 280 members
2,804 guests 3,084
| 1 | | | 11 | | | 2 | | | 9 | | | 17 | | | 11 | | | 14 | | | 16 | | | 37 | | | 14 | | | 20 | | | 23 | | | 19 | | | 24 | | | 10 | |
|
Nursing News