Roles
Back to school is exciting and nerve wracking the same time. According to College of Nurses of Ontario (2024), the primary distinction between RNs and RPNs is foundational education. While RNs and RPNs study the same body of nursing information, RNs study for a longer length of time, resulting in a higher depth and breadth of fundamental knowledge. As a registered practical nurse for a few years, there are both advantages and disadvantages transitioning into registered nurse role. At my work setting, RNs and RPNs have the same roles and responsibilities. “With the expansion of scope of practice for the RPN, role overlap and role confusion between the RN and RPN has escalated” (Parzen, M., 2016, p.68). Parzen, M (2016) also stated, as the healthcare industry evolves, RPNs and RNs will continue to collaborate. Differentiating between RN and RPN roles is challenging since critical thinking and judgment abilities differ and can grow with experience in nursing practice (p.69). “The transition from RPN to RN can be viewed as a process of reconstructing knowledge, skills, and identity” (Parzen. M, & Janzen. K , 2019).
Working at the hospital, I have the fully understanding about the RPNs and RNs’ roles and scope of practices. I have developed great nursing skills, nursing competences, and interpersonal communication skills. I have created a good work ethics and systems to work independently as well as part of a team, especially in a changeable and stressful environment. I am trustworthy, dedicated, determined, goal-oriented, and motivated. All the good personalities I have built working as an RPN have been helping to guide me through the role change. During the first semester, my clinical experience has reinforced my nursing theory and knowledge. I have a chance to voice different point views and share my thoughts among my classmates. RPN role transitioning to RN role can strengthen my critical thinking skills and hands on skills. However, there are also some disadvantages from the RPN role to RN role. Some bad habits, bias and negative emotions from career burnout can impact how I accept and apply new knowledge and framework into practice during role transitioning. As a RPN I committed to support young nurses, I will use my action to fight against the stigma “Nurses eats the youngs”. As a student, I will study hard to establish a valuable nursing framework and reach the quality and expectancy of RNs. As a future RN, I will advocate to my career and lifelong learning. I will stay humble and create a peaceful working ethics and environment.
Nursing Values
Through Course NURS 1001H Nurse as a Profession, I have understood and developed four main Nursing values. Those values help me explore personal values and feelings, decide how to act on personal beliefs, and facilitates nurse–patient communication.
Compassions. With compassion I will interactively communicate with patients and explore patients’ concerns. I will recognize and understand the suffering of a patient, and to take action to help ease it. I will be empathetic and caring by providing supports that addresses both the physical and emotional needs of my patients.
Excellence. A commitment to excellence in service delivery is an important part of the nursing. I will provide the best possible care to my patients. I commit to excellence by maintaining an exemplary professional practice, building transformational leadership, developing new knowledge and innovations, and creating a supportive work environment.
Accountability. Accountability in nursing is essential for patient safety, health outcomes and quality improvements. I will utilize nursing knowledge, skills, and professional judgment to act in the best interests of patients, to make decisions, to acknowledge responsibility for my actions and learn from mistakes. This is a key to my professional growth.
Curiosity. Nurses never stop learning! Nurses should be naturally curious and are encouraged to ask questions on the job to learn more about the role and responsibilities.
(Tyczynski, S., 2024).
Nursing Theory
According to Tyczynski, S. (2024), Nursing theorists play an important role to guide and support nurses’ practice by providing evidence-informed information, the fundamental problem-solving process, and prescriptive models for practice. “As the practice of theorizing about nursing care evolves, the role of philosophy in helping nurses understand their relationship to knowledge has become increasingly relevant” (Tyczynski, S., 2024).
As we all know, health is not just the absence of disease anymore, we are focusing on physical, mental, and social well-being as a whole. Based on my concerns and the research for the scholarly paper assignment, I believe that mental health and social well-being have been impacting on people’s quality of life increasingly, especially affecting many children and adolescents. Ignoring the illness will have a huge negative influence for the younger population’s later life journey. Promoting children’s mental health helps them cope with life’s challenges and improves their resilience to traumatic events. I have been involved The Tidal Model (The Tidal Model, 2024) nursing theory to support my daily nursing practice. During my practice, I realized that this nursing theory can be applied to different age groups with both physical and mental illness. Each patient’s health journey is fluid, and each patient has a unique story. This framework allows me to address the patient’s insecurities and fears, allow the patient to tell their stories and figure out their concerns and what may have caused their current “shipwreck”, such as a simple fall or a serious heart attack, a burn out or a PTSD. Patient centered care and recovery are promoted guided by the Tidal Model nursing theory. The patient is empowered to increase their own health literacy and prepare for the coming adventure (Plohr, P., 2024, May 15).
References
FAQs: Expanding RPN scope of practice. (2024). College of Nurses of Ontario. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://cno.org/standards-learning/scope-of-practice-proposed-changes/faqs-expanding-rpn-scope-of-practice#general-questions-what-are-the-differences-between-nurse-categories
Parzen. M, & Janzen. K (2019) “Facilitation of Disorientating Events for the RPN to BScN Learner / Soutenir, par des occasions déconcertantes, les apprentissages de l’infirmière diplômée d’un programme collégial (RPN en Ontario) pour devenir infirmière bachelière (B.Sc.),” Quality Advancement in Nursing Education – Avancées en formation infirmière: Vol. 5: Iss. 2, Article 3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17483/2368-6669.1190
Parzen, M. (2016). Transformational Learning Experience of RPN to BScN Students in One Program in Ontario (Order No. 10140445). Available from Education Collection; Nursing & Allied Health Premium. (1821289823). http://proxy.lib.trentu.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/transformational-learning-experience-rpn-bscn/docview/1821289823/se-2
Plohr, P. (2024, May 15). Tidal Model. Nursology. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://nursology.net/nurse-theories/tidal-model/#:~:text=The%20Tidal%20Model%20focuses%20on,patient%20has%20a%20unique%20story.
Suva, Grace, MN,B.Sc, N.R.N., Sager, Shelley, MEd, BScN,A.D.E.D., R.N., Mina, Elaine Santa,PhD., R.N., Sinclair, Nancy, MEd, BHScN,B.G.S., R.N., Lloyd, Monique,PhD., R.N., Bajnok, Irmajean,PhD., R.N., & Xiao, Sarah, MScN,B.ScN., R.N. (2015). Systematic Review: Bridging the Gap in RPN-to-RN Transitions. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(4), 363-370. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12147
Tyczynski, Sabrina. (2024). Nursing as a profession. In Blackboard (Ed.), Week 4 Nursing Perspective on Developing Knowledge. Trent University.
Tyczynski, S. (2024). Nursing as a profession. In Blackboard (Ed.), Week 5 Legal & Ethical Issues Part 1. Trent University.
What is the Tidal Model?. (2015). The Tidal Model. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.tidal-model.com/