The Role of the RN

I am going through nursing school to become an RN, a registered nurse. There are several different types of healthcare professionals in hospitals and clinics, so what defines the RN role in compared to a registered practical nurse (RPN)? According to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO, 2008), an RPN treats patients with conditions that are well defined, stable, established in a care program and with support systems in place. When a patient’s condition fluctuates the RN is then consulted and may need to intervene in the patient’s care. The RN will also be consulting with the doctor or physician in charge of the client, helping to develop an action plan, while the RPN will be consulting a RN for assistance. In many situations the RN will delegate jobs or patients to the RPNs for care as well. The reason I decided to become a RN is that I wanted more responsibility as a professional. I also am considering becoming a Registered Nurse Practitioner, (RNP), who would have more responsibility and the ability to prescribe medication and open family practices. These privileges come with another 2 years of schooling on top of your 4 years in the Bachelor of nursing program. Overall, although the job varies between the different levels of nursing they all have the same goal; the treatment and care of patients.

College of Nurses of Ontario, (CNO). (2008). Utilization of RNs and RPNs. Retrieved November 28, 2008, from, www.cno.org/docs/prac/41062_UtilizeRnRpn.pdf.

Caring in Nursing

I decided to become a nurse as it is a profession that is diverse and can be used in almost any country. I have always loved to travel and nurses are in such a high demand worldwide, it would be quite easy for me to get a job while traveling. Through this semester however I have gained a far greater appreciation for the caring aspect of nursing. Although I was fully aware that caring for patients and their families was a large part of being a nurse, I did not realize the intricacies of caring. We have learned caring nurse to client relationships, therapeutic communication, caring theorists, and caring practice. What I once thought was a simple human emotion is now an intricate puzzle of body language, tones, actions, and results. I don't know if this caring complexity is a good thing or not, perhaps it is taught in an attempt to teach caring to those who lack in it. This raises the question however...can caring be taught?

Technology Advancements in Healthcare

Communication barriers seem to be the leading cause of errors in the healthcare system. Missing documentation, illegible scribbling and miscommunication are all factors within patient charts and information. Technology such as electronic health records (EHR) allow for all of a patient’s information to be in one location and available across Canada. The electronic records make it easier to read and organize client information as well. Personal Digital Assistances (PDAs) are very useful bed side tools to remember client information, look up terms and information, and share and transfer important information between nurses and healthcare professionals. Technology such as these are revolutionizing healthcare communication and allowing for great strides in organization, regulation and communication.