LPN to RN Transitions » (2nd Edition)

Designed to fit LPN to RN transition courses, this practical book helps students succeed both academically and professionally —two distinct, but equally important ways. Unit One focuses on the academic and personal needs of the returning LPNs, helping them assess their past professional and personal accomplishments as well as the goals that they would like to achieve in nursing school. It provides useful tools to help them assess their academic skills, motivational exercises to complete, and resources to use throughout nursing school. Unit Two provides the information students need to bridge the gap between LPN and RN practice, presenting the knowledge and skills they need for the role transition to a RN. It demonstrates the difference between the two levels of practice, and it focuses on the critical thinking, clinical, and communication skills that LPN students need to successfully transition to the RN role.

• Unit One addresses the needs of returning LPN students and provides practical learning techniques with motivational exercises, tools, and resources to help them succeed in nursing school.
• Unit Two focuses on the needs of the student to effectively transition into the role of RN — including critical thinking, communication, and many clinical nursing skills.
• For Your Information boxes are integrated throughout and provide important information and exercises to better understand the transition from LPN to the role of RN.
• A chapter on a Basic Math Review covers the basics of arithmetic and dosage calculation methods to help students understand this often difficult area.
• A chapter on Understanding the Nursing Process introduces LPNs to the nursing process in more detail and helps teach them how their scope of practice will be expanded as RNs.
• Critical Thinking Questions or Activities at the end of each chapter help stimulate thought and test content in the chapter.
• Exercise boxes integrated throughout test knowledge of content and reinforce key principles.
• Appendices include a medications/dosage calculation and conversion review exam, a list of the NANDA Nursing Diagnoses, and the Nurses Code of Ethics.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Julia M. Fine, RN, PhD, FNP-C(Indiana State University)
Description:This book seeks to assist the LPN who is returning to school to adapt and prosper in the demanding world of the RN student and to examine the differences in LPN and RN practice. Students are involved through the projects and critical thinking exercises in each chapter. Information is summarized concisely in FYI tables throughout each chapter.
Purpose:The authors set out to gather and consolidate the content needed for a textbook to be used in bridge courses for LPN students who are entering RN programs at an advanced level. This sort of book is needed and the authors have succeeded in bringing together the required content areas.
Audience:The book is specifically targeted to LPNs and could be used for transitional courses in both associate degree and baccalaureate level RN programs. The authors' many years of experience in supporting and encouraging LPNs in the transition to the role of RN are apparent in the subjects chosen and the appropriate level of writing.
Features:Topics range from the sublime and ever-present critical thinking to intensely practical math skills and from the needed skills for the student role to the range of roles of the RN. Identifying individual strengths and building empowerment skills assist the returning adult learner to evaluate both the goal and the cost of the transitional experience. Instructors may want to supplement some sections, such as the math skills, with additional practice and methods.
Assessment:This book joins a small group of texts aimed at the LPN seeking to transition to the RN role. The authors are both experienced in teaching this audience as well as respectful of the LPN's experience as a nurse and adult learner. At the same time, the authors gently force the LPN to examine in depth and appreciate the greater complexity of RN roles and skills. Without this appreciation the transitioning LPN cannot strive for and achieve the multidimensionality of the RN role.

1 Past, Present, and Future: Assessing Your Accomplishments 1

2 Identifying Individual Tools 13

3 Personal Empowerment Skills 24

4 Role Transition 44

5 Nursing: Past and Present Influences 62

6 Educational Pathways and Expanded Roles 77

7 Nursing Theory: Guiding Professional Practice 100

8 Understanding the Nursing Process 121

9 Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment 140

10 Knowledge and Skill Acquisition 155

11 Evidence-Based Practice 179

12 The RN as Communicator 197

13 The RN as Teacher 225

14 The RN as Manager of Care 242

15 Primary Health Care: Factors Influencing Health Promotion 260

16 Managing Care in Secondary and Tertiary Health Care 279

17 The RN as Researcher 293

18 Ethical and Legal Considerations 308

19 Putting It All Together 332

Index 345