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The Registered Nurse (RN)
may delegate appropriate activities to the RPN. The RN's decision to
delegate care is based on both the assessment of patient needs and the
educational preparation and clinical experience of the RPN. The RN
maintains responsibility for the guidance or supervision of the RPN in
carrying out activities, which contribute to the identification of patient
needs, planning, provision and evaluation of nursing care.
When the RN delegates nursing
care activities to the RPN the RN should be satisfied regarding the RPN's
competence to perform those activities. The RN must be aware of the scope of
practice of the RPN and the policies of the employing agency.
RN's are accountable for
the total nursing care of patients and for the delegation of nursing care
activities to RPN'S. RPN's are responsible and accountable for the
performance of nursing care activities delegated to them by RN's.
The role of the RPN/LPN includes, but is not limited to:
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Observing, reporting and recording significant changes,
which require intervention, or changes in the patient's care plan.
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Implementing interventions
within the limitations of licensure and institutional policy.
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Establishing priorities and
making ethically sound decisions to ensure safe patient care.
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Responding to emergency
situations to promote optimal patient outcomes by recognizing changes in the
patient's health status.
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Documenting patient data to
ensure continuity in the provision and coordination of patient care.
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Assisting with the follow-up
care i.e. discharge.
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Collaborating with other health
care professionals.
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Participating in continuing
Education.
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Should demonstrate knowledge of
equipment and how to clean and decontaminate it.
Definition
Role is a description of
the responsibilities
and
functions of a health care
worker in a specific role, including the current
activities common to this
role.
Background
Registered Practical
Nurses
(RPN's), Licensed
Practical Nurses (LPN's) or Registered Nursing Assistants (RNA's) are
provincially trained through an approved program and are nationally tested
by the Canadian Nursing Association Testing services (CNATS) and regulated
under provincial or territorial legislation. The LPN/RPN are trained to
provide the optimum level of care to individuals in all developmental
stages. They provide services under the direction of a qualified medical
practitioner or registered nurse. The Provincial licensing body in
conjunction with the nursing administration in any agency determines both
the standards for nursing practice and the appropriate scope of practice for
employees providing nursing care.
Disclaimer
The CSGNA
assumes no responsibility for the practices or recommendations of any member
or other practitioner: or for the policies or practices of any Endoscopy
unit.
Bibliography
AARN Position Statement: The Role of Registered Nurses
in settings where Licensed Practical Nurses are employed. (December 1991).
CAPNA Position Statement on Role and Scope of Practice
of the Practical Nurse and Nursing Assistant (1
976) Molzahn,A. (1992). Towards a clarification of
the Scope of practice of registered nurses and Licensed Practical
Nurses.AARN.
SGNA Position Statement: Role delineation of the
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse in Gastroenterology and /or Endoscopy (
Feb. 2001).
Rivers, D.(1997) A Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed
Vocational Nurses Guide to the Changing health Care System. Gastroenterology
Nursing. 20(2) 54-56.
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