Nursing Programs: LPN & AD - Essay Example

This test indicates the minimum competency of a fresh graduate. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) An LPN is also known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labour Statistics, USA, they provide basic nursing care under the guidance of Registered Nurses (RN) and doctors. The tasks that an LPN performs include ‘administering medicines, observing patients, collecting samples, and sterilizing equipment among others’ (Summary Report for: 29-2061.

00 - Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses). They use various tools, for instance, hypodermic needles and also take the help of software to carry out their duties. The knowledge that an LPN possesses are from diverse areas like Medicine, Psychology, Counselling, Mathematics, Biology etc (Summary Report). The LPN Program has the following objectives behind it. The LPN should understand and use the nursing process for the purpose of health care. He/She should demonstrate psychomotor skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills towards this end.

The student should also be able to communicate with each stakeholder involved in the nursing process and be accountable for his/her actions at all levels. The LPN should use the knowledge gained for personal and professional growth. Moreover, the student should show commitment to human dignity and individual rights. An LPN must be trained through coursework that usually lasts one year and then pass a state-based exam to become licensed to practice. Aspirants for LPN programs ought to clear a background check.

They should have a high school diploma with some basic college courses as prerequisites to admission into the LPN program. Candidates are tested on four major categories, including health promotion and maintenance, physiological integrity, safe and effective care environment and psychosocial integrity. An Assessment of LPN Programs at Tennessee Technology Centers by Jacquene Walker (2011) brought out the subjects that students were likely to fail during the course. Students complained that the program was too short, too fast-paced and that there was too much information.

Other issues included the falling grades of students, intervention required etc (Walker). Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) A registered nurse looks after the needs of patients suffering from illness or injury. They cater to the needs of patients in various ways, such as in operating rooms, ambulatory care, intensive care, physician’s offices, health care clinics or specialized practice settings. English, Chemistry, Psychology, Human Anatomy & Physiology are some of the subjects required as pre-requisites for the ADN course.

Other than the general Education subjects, Nursing Care Management, Clinical Skills, Pharmacology, Microbiology etc. are some of the other subject during the course. The program should be completed within five years from the start date. An ADN course has several goals. The student should provide safe and holistic nursing care to patients by incorporating caring behavior into nursing. The ADN should employ critical thinking and effective communication to provide nursing services. He/She should integrate legal-ethical standards, academic principles, information technology, quality improvement and evidence based practice into nursing that is patient-centered.

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