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For those who have made the transition from LVN to RN, what's one mindset shift or piece of advice that helped you step into the expanded responsibilities of being an RN?
Especially when advocating for patients and navigating new roles.
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Susana Abena’s Answer
Hello Katelynne, Transitioning from LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) to RN (Registered Nurse) involves stepping into a broader scope of practice and increased responsibility. this is my piece of advice that might help with that shift:
Embrace a Leadership Mindset: As an RN, you’ll be expected not just to care for patients but to lead patient care teams, advocate for patients, and make decisions based on clinical knowledge. One important mindset shift is recognizing that you’re no longer just a part of the team, but an essential leader within it. This means taking initiative in patient care, communicating effectively with the healthcare team, and standing up for what’s in the best interest of the patient.
Advocacy is Key: As an RN, advocating for your patients is a significant responsibility. Whether it's ensuring that their concerns are heard or making sure that their needs are being met, advocating for them is one of your most important roles. Confidence in your knowledge and understanding of your scope as an RN will help you speak up when something doesn’t feel right whether that’s in patient care or in navigating the system.
Leverage Your Experience as an LVN: As an LVN, you already have a wealth of practical experience, which gives you a unique perspective. Lean into that experience, but be open to learning new concepts, especially those that come with the expanded RN role. Recognize that being an RN means taking on more critical thinking and responsibility but doesn’t require you to give up your skills as a compassionate and experienced nurse.
To conclude, the transition can be challenging, but focusing on confidence in your new role and embracing the added responsibilities of leadership and advocacy will help you thrive.
Embrace a Leadership Mindset: As an RN, you’ll be expected not just to care for patients but to lead patient care teams, advocate for patients, and make decisions based on clinical knowledge. One important mindset shift is recognizing that you’re no longer just a part of the team, but an essential leader within it. This means taking initiative in patient care, communicating effectively with the healthcare team, and standing up for what’s in the best interest of the patient.
Advocacy is Key: As an RN, advocating for your patients is a significant responsibility. Whether it's ensuring that their concerns are heard or making sure that their needs are being met, advocating for them is one of your most important roles. Confidence in your knowledge and understanding of your scope as an RN will help you speak up when something doesn’t feel right whether that’s in patient care or in navigating the system.
Leverage Your Experience as an LVN: As an LVN, you already have a wealth of practical experience, which gives you a unique perspective. Lean into that experience, but be open to learning new concepts, especially those that come with the expanded RN role. Recognize that being an RN means taking on more critical thinking and responsibility but doesn’t require you to give up your skills as a compassionate and experienced nurse.
To conclude, the transition can be challenging, but focusing on confidence in your new role and embracing the added responsibilities of leadership and advocacy will help you thrive.