Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) may be able to fill the gap in the nursing shortage, according to the results of a study reported in the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing.
"LPNs may be able to help fill some of the gaps caused by the nursing shortage, but little research has been conducted on the demographic characteristics of LPNs, their education and scope of practice, and the demand for their services, all of which vary from state to state," write Jean Ann Seago, PhD, RN, from the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues.
In 2002 and 2003, the authors conducted a comprehensive national study, Supply, Demand, and Use of Licensed Practical Nurses, which showed that RNs and LPNs are similar in age and tend to have similar numbers of children. However, racial and ethnic minorities, particularly African Americans, and those who are single, widowed, divorced, or separated are better represented among LPNs.
Specific recommendations are as follows:
- Before making changes to LPNs' scope of practice, states should determine whether easing practice restrictions would negatively affect patient care.
- Employers should distribute the work of LPNs safely and reasonably, so that RNs are not overwhelmed and LPNs can perform all of the nursing tasks permitted under existing scope-of-practice regulations.
- Employers should provide educational incentives to LPNs.
- Nurse educators should facilitate the matriculation of LPNs in RN educational programs.
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