Can RN Do Admission Assessment?

When a new patient is admitted to an inpatient ward or day treatment area, an admission assessment must be completed within 4 hours of arrival. This meets national standard requirements and’required nursing admission documentation’ in the EMR system.

Once each shift, nurses conduct a head-to-toe nursing assessment that alerts them to any changes that could potentially pose risk for the patient. This assessment includes looking into things like codes or when surgery was performed.

Scope of Practice

Nurses and other health professionals engage in a wide range of professional practice that involves assessment, planning, implementing, evaluating and providing nursing care. Their scope of practice is dictated by the nursing profession, state boards of nursing and standards of practice.

Registered nurses (RNs) have the primary responsibility of safeguarding, improving and promoting the health of individuals, families, communities and populations according to their social contract. They practice in all areas of healthcare without seeking financial reward or personal gain.

LPNs provide a range of supportive care services for people with various needs and conditions in hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care settings. They often collaborate with physicians, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse practitioners and other health professionals in order to deliver comprehensive care.

Roles vary based on education and training, employer and the state they practice in, but RNs possess a broader scope of practice than LPNs. This includes the capacity to assess, diagnose and treat complex medical issues.

RN vs. LPN Assessment

Admission assessment of a patient is the initial step in determining how best to care for them. It takes into account their physical condition, mental state, social needs and emotional state.

A great LPN can develop a personal connection with their patients and communicate openly about their situation. They serve as positive influences in the patient’s life, supporting them during trying times.

Registered nurses (RNs) are accountable for creating nursing care plans and conducting initial assessments on patients. Additionally, they may administer medications and draw blood.

The scope of practice for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses is determined by the boards of nursing in each state where they hold licensure. Furthermore, the Nurse Licensure Compact permits RNs and LPNs to practice outside their home state if their original licensure was issued in a member state of the Compact. This may provide them with an opportunity for employment outside their home jurisdiction.

RN vs. LPN Evaluation

Admission assessment is an integral step in the nursing process. Here, patients’ needs are assessed to determine if they require immediate care or should be transferred to another unit or department.

In most healthcare settings, only registered nurses are authorized to perform this assessment. However, in certain long-term care facilities LPNs may draft nursing care plans and make changes under a supervising RN’s direction.

RNs typically enjoy greater job security than LPNs due to their faster advancement and wider career options. Furthermore, RNs typically earn higher salaries than LPNs do, with more employment prospects in highly paid fields like intensive care or emergency departments.

RN vs. LPN Implementation

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are both licensed nursing professionals employed in healthcare facilities. However, the primary distinction between the two professions lies in that RNs possess a much wider scope of practice than LPNs do.

Nurses and LPNs practice similar roles, though with slightly broader scope of practice. In addition to collecting vital signs, administering medications and performing wound care, RNs also create care plans and conduct diagnostic tests.

As such, some health care providers may be considering creating an RN role instead of an LPN one in order to save money and avoid employing a nurse with insufficient training and experience.

Both professions offer similar job security, though RNs generally earn better starting salaries than LPNs do. Furthermore, RNs have more chances for career advancement; they can pursue advanced degrees that will grant them access to positions such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists or executive leaders within a healthcare organization.