nursingforsocialjustice

Recently, when I was instructing a clinical group of undergraduate nursing students I was asked a question about how the scope of practice of LPNs effects the work of RNs. We talked about how the scope of practice of LPNs today is different than it was ten years ago. They asked about what happens to the RN scope of practice, I gathered in fear that LPNS would be taking their places as soon to be newly graduated RNs, as a cheaper solution to a seemingly constant shortage of Registered Nurses. I let them know that the RN scope of practice has changed, considerably, even since I graduate in 2008, and that it will continue to change to meet the changes in health care. They ask, perhaps facetiously, so what happens to us? Are RNs the new doctors? I responded, no, we nurses are not the doctors of tomorrow, and I do not think we want to be. But I think it is a disservice to RNs in general to wish for yesterday, reminiscing about days when the technology, research and knowledge of today did not exist. I also think it is unfortunate that Bachelor of Nursing students conceptualized their profession as lesser doctors rather than a distinct group of health care professionals.

Sometimes I feel like we are clinging too hard to what the profession of nursing looked like years ago, resisting the progression of the profession. I think that there is enough room for all health care professionals, regulated and unregulated. I think we have to have some good planning into how our scopes of practice are successfully integrated to provide the best care, but I think we need some better solutions that desperately trying to cling to health care as it was and think about how we want it to be.

I think that it is incredibly unfortunate that before I was born efforts were made to try and get all Registered Nurses up to an undergraduate level of preparation as entry to practice and 35 years later only 50% of practicing RNs have an undergraduate degree. I am not even sure how that is possible, considering the last diploma RN program graduated its final cohort in 2011. As I think about this now, I think actually want to do some research on how the nursing profession is changing and where the profession will go in the future, especially with respect to mental health nursing, education and leadership in the profession.

Peace,

Michelle D.