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Recent studies undertaken in the United States have suggested that the ratio of Registered Nurses (RN’s) per capita is likely to soon, or may have already reached a peak. Hereafter the ratio is expected to decline. This decline may well last for as long as the next decade.
The variety of competing job opportunities in today’s employment market may well be a cause of this expected decline. As a steadily aging population of RN’s retire the profession needs an at least equivalent number of new entrants into the profession. The factors driving employment trends are often complex and difficult to isolate but nevertheless the alternative employment options available to individuals who in the past might have chosen nursing as their profession is expected to result in an overall decline in entrants.
A number of factors have also believed to have had an impact on the increased demand there has been in the United States for health care services. The first of these factors has been identified as mainly due to an overall increase in the population numbers. This increase has been in excess of 1% per annum. The second factor is believed to relate to an aging population as improvements in treatments and technologies has meant the older individuals are able to live longer. Other factors thought to be relevant are due to an increase in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses and a greater incidence of anti-biotic resistant illnesses.
The role of the Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN has traditionally been used as a substitute role. Medical facilities have used LPN’s to replace RN’s or their less qualified colleagues patient care assistants (PCA’s). However, it is now believed that a greater degree of success in managing the overall decline in the ratio of RN’s per capita would be to use the LPN role a complementary role rather than a substitution. In this way it is believed that the care offering of such medical facilities might be extended beyond their current capabilities without loss of quality of patient care.
At the start of each day the nursing team meet to evaluate the needs of their patients for that day. The RN, who would supervise all work undertaken, would allocate tasks to the LPN’s and PCA’s based upon their specific skills and experience. In this way the medical facility maximises the return on the particular make up of its staff team as well as involving them in the important decisions surrounding the care of their patients.
This method of using the skills and experiences of the LPN to relieve the burden on the RN can mean that the quality of care is maintained whilst at the same time benefiting staff morale. It also provides an environment in which the RN can concentrate on administering the more complex aspects of patient treatments which can overall enhance the quality and reach of the care provided by the medical facility in question.
In summary, the Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN can have a significant impact on the smooth running of health care environments, but in order to properly leverage their effectiveness consideration needs to be given to exactly how they are used in the workplace environment as ineffective utilization of their skills and abilities can lead to increased patient treatment issues and staff dissatisfaction.
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