The Application of Education and Leadership as a Registered Nurse (RN) versus a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Nurses across the board are held to certain expectations and standards in order to promote wellness, prevent illness, and provide quality care. However, with each nursing role comes a specific scope of practice and varying degrees of knowledge, competency, and leadership. When advancing from an LVN to an RN, one must be prepared to encounter some difficulty in transitioning. Although it is perceived that LVNs are able to do everything RNs can do, this assumption is naïve and wrong. When examining two standards of practice developed for RNs: education and leadership; it becomes evident that there is a distinct difference between the …show more content…
Which identifies the fact that RNs are responsible for continuing their education and knowledge of concepts in order to be a competent and caring nurse. In contrast, LVNs are held to a similar standard of education and experience, however, the standard only requires LVNs to be responsible for the basic concepts and skills to be performed as a nurse. LVNs do have a wealth of knowledge and are able to perform some of the same skills as RNs, however, the difference is that RNs are required to advance their education and understanding of those procedures. “The differences are rooted in the knowledge base and critical thinking skills that include analysis, modification, assimilation, synthesis, problem solving, and evaluation” (Duncan & Depew, 2011, p.76). This quote provides examples of some of the many points that help to differentiate an RN from an …show more content…
Leadership is defined as influencing and inspiring others towards a goal or purpose. When considering the health care field, each health professional at some point must rise to the occasion of being a leader. Kelly (2012) explains that every individual has the prospective opportunity of becoming a leader. This is true particularly for nurses, regardless of LVN or RN status. All nurses have the potential to be a leader to patients, family members, and other nurses. Kelly (2012) explains, “Nurses function as leaders when they demonstrate leadership characteristics in their nursing roles and lead other nurses and their communities to achieve a vision of quality health care” (p. 3). With that being said, the duty of an RN is to supervise nurses underneath them, including LVNs, and therefore the responsibility of leadership falls to the RN. However, one believes that in any position of nursing one must acquire leadership skills. For example, the CNA must lead other CNAs and patients; LVNs must lead other LVNs, CNAs, and patients; RNs must lead other RNs, LVNs, CNAs, and patients; etc. In the health care system, individuals must be ready to rise to the occasion of being a leader in order to advocate for their patients and promote a better quality of life for
Nurses across the board are held to certain expectations and standards in order to promote wellness, prevent illness, and provide quality care. However, with each nursing role comes a specific scope of practice and varying degrees of knowledge, competency, and leadership. When advancing from an LVN to an RN, one must be prepared to encounter some difficulty in transitioning. Although it is perceived that LVNs are able to do everything RNs can do, this assumption is naïve and wrong. When examining two standards of practice developed for RNs: education and leadership; it becomes evident that there is a distinct difference between the …show more content…
Which identifies the fact that RNs are responsible for continuing their education and knowledge of concepts in order to be a competent and caring nurse. In contrast, LVNs are held to a similar standard of education and experience, however, the standard only requires LVNs to be responsible for the basic concepts and skills to be performed as a nurse. LVNs do have a wealth of knowledge and are able to perform some of the same skills as RNs, however, the difference is that RNs are required to advance their education and understanding of those procedures. “The differences are rooted in the knowledge base and critical thinking skills that include analysis, modification, assimilation, synthesis, problem solving, and evaluation” (Duncan & Depew, 2011, p.76). This quote provides examples of some of the many points that help to differentiate an RN from an …show more content…
Leadership is defined as influencing and inspiring others towards a goal or purpose. When considering the health care field, each health professional at some point must rise to the occasion of being a leader. Kelly (2012) explains that every individual has the prospective opportunity of becoming a leader. This is true particularly for nurses, regardless of LVN or RN status. All nurses have the potential to be a leader to patients, family members, and other nurses. Kelly (2012) explains, “Nurses function as leaders when they demonstrate leadership characteristics in their nursing roles and lead other nurses and their communities to achieve a vision of quality health care” (p. 3). With that being said, the duty of an RN is to supervise nurses underneath them, including LVNs, and therefore the responsibility of leadership falls to the RN. However, one believes that in any position of nursing one must acquire leadership skills. For example, the CNA must lead other CNAs and patients; LVNs must lead other LVNs, CNAs, and patients; RNs must lead other RNs, LVNs, CNAs, and patients; etc. In the health care system, individuals must be ready to rise to the occasion of being a leader in order to advocate for their patients and promote a better quality of life for