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NurseTwain

RN vs. LPN: What is the Difference?

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Recently, my hospital has begun doing RN-LPN buddies. This is where the RN/LPN team can have upwards to 8 patients (normally a ratio of 1:6) or the LPN is split between two RNs with a higher acuity 6 patient group.

But, what exactly is the difference between the roles of an RN vs. those of an LPN?

LPNs also have options for certain skills certifications and there are several LPN-RN bridge programs.

The scope of practice for both RNs and LPNs also differs based on state of licensure and facility.

Until next shift,

Shania

How I Became an RN with NO STUDENT DEBT: My Journey into Nursing

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On average, a baccalaureate degree student accumulates $30,000 in debt and student debt is the second highest source of American debt, following mortgages (educationdata.org). The fear of debt, coupled with lack of motivation and other life endeavors makes it so difficult to obtain higher levels of education and more rewarding careers. Once one makes it into school, they are likely forced to quit their current job or severely restrict working hours to make time for the necessary studies, further accruing more financial strain.

I was very fortunate to have great advisors as I was finishing High School. I had a 4.0 GPA and was able to apply for and obtain many state grants. I was in the second round of students to receive the Tennessee Promise, which pays for 2 years of community college after receiving state funding. After receiving this information, I knew about a 2 year RN program at the local community college. It was a very intense 4-5 day program that allowed students to earn an Associates Degree in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse. With such a rigorous program, students could not work many hours. I was lucky to be able to continue to live with my parents and I did not have a family at the time, so this route was perfect for me.

I was accepted into the program shortly after graduating High School. Fast forward to February 2018 and I was a licensed RN working on a Medical-Surgical Unit.

The hospital also has a tuition reimbursement program with a 2 year post contract that I used to support my online 1 year Bachelor’s degree program. Within 3 years, I was a BSN- RN with no debt and happily working on a Med-Surg unit, while my High School friends were just then graduating and finding professional jobs.

It is worth the time and effort to research scholarships, find affordable and practical schools, and investigate the resources your workplace has available to you.

Until next shift,

Shania

Funny Tidbits of Nursing Knowledge/ Nursing Advice

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  • Be careful not to nurse the computer
  • Not everyone showers regularly
  • Everyone’s anatomy is different
  • It is not exactly like the case studies
  • I have never inspected so many butts
  • No, you cannot bring your monkeys to the hospital
  • If you smell smoke, one of your patients is probably smoking in their room
  • If you are a patient and walk across the street to taco bell, you will be forced to leave AMA
  • Allowing a patient to leave AMA will probably make your shift so much better- don’t take it personally!
  • It is a good morning when you only have one fingerstick.
  • Ensure quality > quantity
  • Sometimes the best position to place a foley is side-lying or doggy style
  • Just because a patient is in the hospital, does not mean that they can treat you like trash
  • You do not work for the doctors, you work for the hospital.- Stick up for yourself!
  • Family members are often worse than the patients, however if you listen, they can turn out to provide valuable information
  • Stay humble!- You will not know everything and there is always a resource to learn more
  • Be involved within your unit- building personal relationships with coworkers will make going into work so much better
  • The best nurses are those that start from the ground-up- Remember to appreciate and help EVS, NTs, etc.
  • Offer things the patients are allowed, rather than focusing on things they cannot have or cannot do

My anxiety got the best of me. Moments at the bedside.

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According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 18.1% of the US population suffers from anxiety, however only 36.9% of those people with anxiety seek treatment.

One of the many benefits of being a nurse is time spent at the bedside. The patients I remember most are those that I have found a connection with through talking to them. Along with educating them on their diagnosis or treatment, one of the most beneficial things we can do as nurses is to build a relationship… I know, I know easier said than done. We often feel like we don’t have enough time to connect with people, but it is in those moments that we can discover things. We may find out the reasons for their noncompliance, that it is their 50th wedding anniversary, that today is the anniversary of their daughter’s death, or even that they have no running water at home. Simply speaking to the person in the bed, making eye contact, and truly engaging in conversation, alone, can help relieve any fears that they may have and can also make for an easier shift.

Discovering like interests and creating conversation away from their hospital stay lightens up the room for both the patient and family. In a stressful situation, talking about things other than their current state can help divert their attention away from their pain and illness. We can make an impact by just being present with them in the moment and stepping away from our computers. Rapport is also a way to bring the humaneness of nursing back amidst the plethora of hospital protocols and technology scanners. Just like “skin is the nursing domain”, so is communication. Being transparent with patient and families is what they want and need. Keeping them up to date, while also connecting on a personal level can help alleviate any unnecessary worry in a less ideal environment.

Until next shift,

Shania

Educate. Innovate. Celebrate: The 2021 ANCC Magnet/Pathway Conference

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“Maybe this one moment, with this one person, is the very reason we’re here on Earth at this time”- Jean Watson

This quote was mentioned several times at the ANCC Magnet/Pathway conference and how fitting it is after nearly 2 years of the life-changing pandemic. Remembering the why to what we do is what keeps us resilient, engaged, and ready to tackle our next shift. I am so fortunate that I was able to attend my first ever conference. I feel so empowered and motivated to make a difference in the lives of so many people and further advance my nursing career.

For those of you who have never been to a conference, it is a time to connect with people from all over the world for a common purpose. It is a time to network and build relationships, become reinspired, and to learn about all of the amazing opportunities and advancements in the world of nursing.

Many of the sessions I attended center on the term meaningful recognition and its impact on nursing retention. Job satisfaction is formed by one’s personal beliefs and attitudes about his or her workplace environment, personal perceived competence, and personal relationships. Creating a positive work environment with recognition and empowerment is one of the biggest factors to achieving nursing retention.

A job that was formed from this very evidence is called a nurse retentionist. Dr. Millie Sattler created her own position at a SE hospital system that drastically improved nurse satisfaction and turnover. The role of a nurse retentionist provides a personal support system to navigate through the clinical ladder. From nursing recruitment to professional development, the nurse retentionist inspires, empowers, mentors, and supports a nurse through their nursing career.

Courses and qualities required for nursing retention include interdisciplinary communication and team building, professional interview skills and resume building, project management, event planning, and the ability to connect with people on a personal level, to name just a few. What a great job!!

I am so excited to explore my other nursing options and to expand my expertise with further education. For more information on Dr. Sattler’s work, check out her article: DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2021.01.002

Until next shift,

Shania

Addiction: A Disease Mentality

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“History of IV drug use, positive for heroin and meth. HIV and Hep C positive. Constantly requests pain medication.”

What are your immediate thoughts when getting information like this in report? Most likely, it’s thoughts of judgement, disregard, lack of care and trust for the patient. Although these are valid thoughts, what about taking a step back and thinking about the reasons behind their IV drug use. What happened in their life that needs to be numbed by such harsh drugs?

Addiction is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as ” a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction, use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.”

Everyone wants to be happy; no one chooses to do things because they know it will make them unhappy. Often times, the perfect combination of an addictive gene plus a poor life circumstance and environment leads someone to choose a substance as a coping mechanism. Society encourages people with a bad day to “go have a drink” after a rough day. So many scenarios can become the ultimate formula that leads someone to a substance and the individual then is a slippery slope into a life of addiction.

Do they choose the drug to feel good? They keep searching for that next high, but develop an increasing tolerance so they need more and more until an accidental overdose. Do they choose the drug to numb a hurt? It’s easier to drink a beer “socially” than it is to do yoga, meditate, go on a walk. It’s justifiable and becomes rationalized.

Some realize the problem, others do not admit that they have a problem. Those that want to change, now must detox safely in a facility. What started as a way to cope from a tragic event led to a life of pain and hurt from a drug that only fuels the fire.

A majority of addictions are not illegal, but trigger the same brain chemistry. Think about your own addictions and how hard it may be to break those and then compare it to a pill or form of liquid death that it’s sole purpose is to disrupt a certain brain-body signal. Addictions to sugar, caffeine, nicotine, technology…

Until next shift,

Shania

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