Leveraging LVNs and LPNs to support core nursing teams
Licensed practical nurses (LPN) and licensed vocational nurses (LVN) have identical roles and responsibilities, although they are named differently in various states. Even though LPN is the most widely used title in the USA, it is called LVN in some states like California and Texas. LPNs/LVNs practice in different healthcare settings, such as large hospitals, specialty care homes, clinics, and nursing facilities. Licensed practical nurses typically undergo a one-year nursing program and pass the certification exam to practice in the USA.
Though the scope of practice for Licensed practical nurses and Licensed Vocational nurses varies from state to state, the primary role of the LPN/LVN includes the duties listed below.
- Providing basic patient care by regularly monitoring the vital signs.
- Assisting patients with their daily care routine activities.
- Administering the prescribed medication to the patient and documenting the signs of improvement.
- Assisting physicians and registered nurses in surgical procedures by sterilizing the medical equipment and equipping the patients for the medical procedure by cleaning wounds.
- Maintaining a record of the patient’s medical condition, including the daily status of the patient’s condition, medical history, treatment history, etc.
- Educating the patients and their families on the severity of the illness and supporting them to recover from it.
- Collaboration in nursing care with other nursing teams, physicians, and allied health professionals to deliver continued patient care.
Current challenges faced by core nursing teams
- Shortage of skilled nursing team: The demand for nurses is increasing with the rise in chronic illness, aging population, and increased awareness of preventive care. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this demand is projected to grow by 3% for LPNs and LVNs alone in the upcoming decade while the nurse-patient ratio remains very low.
- Nurse burnout: Burnout due to work pressure and workplace stress has become a major factor contributing to the hike in nurse turnover rates in the USA. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a heavy patient load, extended work hours, and understaffing, which has significantly worsened nurse burnout. As per the survey conducted by the American Nurses Association in 2020, 62% of the nurses experience burnout.
- Increased patient demand: Though it doesn’t sound severe, the aging baby boomer generation is a critical concern, posing a high demand for specialized geriatric and preventive care from the nursing teams. According to the US Census Bureau, the retired population above 65 years of age is expected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050.
- Inadequate pay and allowances: Most healthcare facilities are hiring nurses with the help of nurse staffing agencies, which might involve multiple middle layers and huge markup fees. As a significant portion of the bill rate goes to these expenses, the nurses get paid below the market standards, which can reduce job satisfaction among nurses.
- Other nursing workforce issues in healthcare facilities include workplace safety concerns, poor workplace culture, and limited career growth opportunities.
State of nursing in 2024
Importance of clear communication and collaboration between LVNs, LPNs, and RNs
As registered nurses supervise the LPNs/LVNs and other support staff, clear communication and collaboration need to be ensured between the LPNs, LVNs, and RNs to provide effective patient care. In a collaborative care environment, proper communication is crucial, as a minor miscommunication can put the patients’ lives at risk. Also, in cases where continued care is required, improper shift handover or erroneous patient health records can hamper patient care quality. Moreover, with efficient team collaboration in nursing care between LVNs, LPNs, and registered nurses, patient demands can be strategically met during peak seasons while controlling the high-stress situations caused by emergencies. The benefits of effective communication in nursing include improved team dynamics, which not only benefits the nursing team but also profits the healthcare facility by reducing medical errors as well as emphasizing quality care and trust.
Legal and regulatory compliance challenges faced by facilities to hire LVN/LPNs
While there exists an LPN shortage, considering the essence of LPN/LVN roles in the healthcare sector, the legal requirements of the role are also complex to navigate while hiring an LVN/LPN for your healthcare facility. The following are some of the major compliance issues in healthcare faced by facilities:
- The license requirement and scope of practice of LVNs/LPNs vary from state to state. Hence, healthcare facilities need to stay updated to keep in compliance with the current nurse regulatory guidelines pertaining to LVN/LPN hiring in your state.
- Detailed credentialing of the potential candidate, which includes verification of the license history, qualification, experience, etc., can be a troublesome process as this needs to undergo careful evaluation.
- The facilities must be well versed in the state-specific nursing laws that define the supervisory conditions and workplace compliance, including work hours and overtime wages, which must be adhered to while onboarding the LVN/LPNs.
- Adhering to the safety standards while also ensuring that the newly hired LVN/LPNs follow the correct workplace safety and infection control practices stipulated by the state while performing the LPN nursing duties is essential to avoid any healthcare regulatory compliance issues.
- As most states require continuing education proof for license renewal, healthcare facilities need to ensure that the licenses of the hired LPNs are renewed regularly without any compliance issues.
Why choose MedSquirrels’ staffing platform to ensure 100% compliance
Keeping track of the changing nurse regulations and ensuring compliance throughout your LPN/LVN hiring can be challenging as this can impose a huge administrative burden on healthcare facilities. However, fret not! MedSquirrels has got your back. MedSquirrels is a medical staffing solution platform leveraging advanced technologies like AI and automation to simplify the LVN/LPN hiring process while also ensuring 100% compliance. With our AI-enabled platform, you can track the end-to-end hiring process, including detailed credentialing and compliance checks of the candidates. The process is completely transparent and reliable with the help of our expert helathcare recruiters as well as our AI feature to ensure zero compliance risk for you.
MedSquirrels can help you hire LPNs/LVNs in both contract mode and full-time mode based on your requirements. At MedSquirrels, we have different plans namely, Orange, Purple, and Blue, for you to choose from, considering your unique needs. Unlike traditional staffing models, MedSquirrels offers a cost-effective solution for nursing staffing as we don’t charge huge markup fees. You just have to pay the flat license fee along with the payroll costs for the LVN/LPN hiring made through us. To know more about the various plans we have at MedSquirrels, book a demo today.
FAQs
What roles do LVNs (licensed vocational nurses) and LPNs (licensed practical nurses) play in healthcare?
LVNs and LPNs provide basic medical care under the supervision of RNs (registered nurses) and doctors. They assist with patient care, administer medications, and support daily activities.
What are the benefits of integrating LVNs and LPNs into the nursing team?
Integrating LVNs and LPNs helps distribute the workload, reduces burnout among RNs, and improves overall patient care quality. They provide essential support that enhances the healthcare team’s effectiveness.
How do LVNs and LPNs contribute to patient education and support?
LVNs and LPNs play a crucial role in educating patients about their health conditions, medications, and post-care instructions. Their support helps patients understand their treatment plans and promotes better health outcomes.
How does partnering with MedSquirrels help in hiring LVNs and LPNs?
Partnering with MedSquirrels ensures access to a pool of qualified LVNs and LPNs, streamlining the hiring process with our AI-powered platform. This saves time and ensures you get qualified candidates efficiently.
What are the cost benefits of hiring LVNs and LPNs through MedSquirrels?
MedSquirrels has three affordable plans; with these plans, you get transparent, flat-fee pricing without staffing agency markups. This makes hiring LVNs and LPNs cost-effective, ensuring fair pay for workers and budget-friendly staffing solutions
