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 expectations for the LPN and RN in the nursing process?
The LPN and RN must communicate effectively in order to create and enact a nursing plan of care. They both need to have the same goal for the client and strive for the same outcome. The LPN is the eyes and ears for when the RN is not around. The LPN uses their knowledge and experience to assist the RN by making recommendations and observations. The RN has the final decision on courses of treatments and making the nursing diagnosis, but in an effective work relationship, the RN takes into account and respects the LPN’s input. The RN is responsible for documenting and administering the Client’s assessments while the LPN works underneath the supervision of an RN and is responsible for reporting changes and questions to the RN in a timely manner (Ohio Board of Nursing). The LPN is not eligible to provide education to the Client or their family as that is the responsibility of the RN. The LPN and RN need to regularly meet to discuss the progress of the Nursing plan of care to determine any adjusts that need to be made and to ensure its success. They both are expected to follow the plan of care and not to deviate from the plan without discussing it. As for medical treatments, there is one big difference between the abilities of an LPN and an RN, that being that an LPN is not eligible to administer medications intravenously while and RN is able to do so.
Both the LPN and RN are expected to treat the Client with compassion, dignity, and respect regardless of social/ economic status, personal health attributes, or the nature of the health problem (ANA, 2019). All nurses have the same responsibility to listen, show empathy, advocate for, and fight for the rights of their clients. The medical team many at times disapprove with the choice the Client makes, but the nurse must be supportive and be willing to hear out the Client. Whether it’s the refusal of blood products, a vaccine, a surgery, or to continue an unhealth habit (ex. Smoking, drinking, unhealthy eating, etc.), the nurse must respect their decision and not use it as a basis to treat the Client differently. LPNs and RNs are expected to act with integrity and always be forth coming on mistakes and issues in the workplace.