Question

The LPN has worked on this unit at an acute care hospital for the past four years. It is announced that the hospital wants to change the process for admitting new patients. What roles can this nurse serve in the change process? (Select all that apply.)

A) Participate in the change process.
B) Identify needed changes.
C) Recommend changes to improve processes.
D) Participate in evaluating the effectiveness of change.
E) Act as the informal leader of the group researching the needed change.

Answer 1

An LPN with four years of experience in an acute care hospital can actively engage in the patient admission change process by participating in the implementation, identifying necessary improvements, recommending process enhancements, and evaluating the change's effectiveness. Their clinical experience, particularly under direct supervision and in specialized care such as dialysis treatments, will be highly valuable throughout this transition period.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who has been working at an acute care hospital for the past four years can serve a variety of roles in the new patient admission change process:

• Participate in the change process: The LPN can be directly involved in implementing new procedures and providing feedback based on their experience.

• Identify needed changes: Given their hands-on experience with patient admissions, the LPN can help pinpoint areas that need improvement or revision.

• Recommend changes to improve processes: Suggestions from the LPN can lead to more effective processes, as they understand the workflows and challenges of patient care.

• Participate in evaluating the effectiveness of change: The LPN can observe and assess whether the new processes are successful, providing essential input that may lead to further adjustments.

• Act as the informal leader of the group researching the needed change: While not explicitly stated as a formal role, an LPN with several years of experience might naturally assume a leadership position among peers during this process.

Given that LPNs often work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and focus on specialized tasks such as providing dialysis treatments, they are well-positioned to contribute substantially to changing procedures while ensuring that patient care remains efficient and effective. They can participate by reviewing patient history, assessing needs, monitoring treatments, and ensuring sterile procedures, thereby influencing the success of new admissions processes through both action and insight.