animated banner
Public Employers Students Media More  

 Nursing Practice > Ask Practice 

Page modified February 02, 2010

Workplace environments that support RPN practice

Q

I’m a student nearing completion of a practical nursing program and I’m starting to consider my career options. I’ve read that, as an RPN, my education has prepared me to care for clients whose conditions are consistent over time and less complex, such as those found in long-term care settings. Does this mean that as an RPN I should only work in such settings?

A

Your education is preparing you to practise in a variety of settings. The kind of care setting in which you practise is up to you. However, wherever you choose to practice — in acute, long term care or in the community — you are accountable for recognizing whether you have the knowledge, skill and judgment to meet a particular client’s care needs.

Clients of varying degrees of acuity and complexity and predictability exist in all practice settings. You are just as likely to encounter clients with complex care needs in long-term care as you would in an acute care setting.

When determining if you can meet a client’s needs, you should consider the client factors (such as complexity and predictability of their condition, and risks for negative outcomes in response to care provided) and the environmental supports and consultative resources available to you, such as an experienced RN or RPN preceptor. These factors will determine the level of autonomy with which you will be able to practise, and the amount of consultation you may require.

Workplace environments that support RPN practice will have a high proportion of nurses, RNs and RPNs, familiar with the clients; an RN available for consultation or to whom the RPN can transfer care if necessary; support tools (for example, assessment tools, protocols and policies); and clear role descriptions and responsibilities of care providers (RPN, RN and unregulated care provider).

Resources

[top]