The RN and LPN skill mix

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Practice
• Health Workforce Studies

Background:

• Historically, registered nurses (RNs) were the sole providers of patient care in acute care settings.
• Concerns existed regarding the appropriate skill mix, with many tasks not requiring RN expertise.
• Budgetary constraints prompted a re-evaluation of hospital staffing models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of introducing licensed practical nurses (LPNs) into acute care settings.
• To analyze the challenges associated with changing the nursing staff mix.
• To assess the adaptability of primary nursing models with a new caregiver level.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a new staffing model incorporating LPNs in active treatment areas.
• Observation of changes in registered nurse (RN) supervisory and delegation practices.
• Assessment of the primary nursing care delivery method's effectiveness post-implementation.

Main Results:

• The introduction of LPNs altered the traditional nursing staff mix.
• Registered nurses experienced a learning curve in supervising and delegating tasks to LPNs.
• The primary nursing model required adaptation to accommodate the new caregiver roles.

Conclusions:

• The integration of LPNs necessitated adjustments in nursing roles and care delivery models.
• Effective delegation and supervision strategies are crucial for successful mixed-staffing models.
• Adapting care delivery methods is essential for optimizing patient care with diverse nursing teams.