Empowering the LPN: the Practical Nurse Practice Council.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) require empowerment for full integration into acute care teams.
• Shared governance models in nursing management are increasing, focusing on professional control over practice.
• Existing literature on practice councils primarily addresses registered nurses, not LPNs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of the Practical Nurse Practice Council (PNPC) in empowering LPNs within acute care settings.
• To address the gap in literature regarding practice councils specifically designed for LPNs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on nursing practice councils and shared governance.
• Analysis of the UPMC St. Margaret's PNPC's mission and goals.

Main Results:

• Practice councils are a known concept in nursing, often linked to shared governance for registered nurses.
• A significant gap exists in the literature concerning practice councils tailored for LPNs.
• The PNPC model developed at UPMC St. Margaret offers a framework for LPN empowerment.

Conclusions:

• The PNPC is crucial for empowering LPNs in acute care settings.
• Developing specific practice councils for LPNs is necessary for their integration into healthcare teams.
• The PNPC model can be adapted for use in various healthcare settings to enhance LPN roles.