This textbook fills a gap in education for licensed practical nurses (LPN), providing information specific to their own needs and concerns.
Firstly, it clarifies the leadership role of LPNs in the healthcare setting, and then identifies the knowledge, skills and abilities related to leadership, management, communication, culture change and person-directed care concepts. It also explains the efficacy of these concepts related to the LPN care of patients in the work setting and reviews the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) enacted in every US state.
LPNs play an essential role in the patient care team and we have to ensure they receive advanced education as practitioners in healthcare settings that reach vulnerable populations such the elderly. They have been considered as the registered nurses’ right hand in acute care as well as many home-health settings. They provide basic medical and nursing care, ensure the comfort of patients, discuss health care with patients, and report the status of patients to registered nurses and doctors. But the LPNs are often expected to take on a real leadership role based on the perception that as licensed nurses they already have all the qualifications and education necessary for leadership roles. However, there is a gap in the education they receive and a limited body of literature dedicated to them. Written in honor of all LPNs, this educational textbook fills that gap. With learning objectives, review questions and scenarios, it is a valuable resource for courses for undergraduate students training to be LPNs.
Author Biography:
Cheryl Kruschke, EdD, MS, RN, CNE has been an Associate Professor in the Loretto Heights School of Nursing, Regis University, Denver, USA, since 2008. She teaches in the nursing program in the areas of Leadership and Management, Gerontology, Finance, Accounting, Economics and Statistics. Prior to coming to Regis University, Cheryl also held an adjunct faculty position at Cardinal Stritch University for 11 years. Cheryl holds a Doctoral degree in Education as well as Bachelor's degrees in Business and Nursing and Master's degrees in Health Care Administration and Nursing.
Her nursing career began in 1980 as a LPN working in the long-term care setting. Her work in long-term care spans over 20 years in a variety of roles including nursing assistant, LPN, RN, Supervisor, Manager of Education and Quality Assurance, Director of Nursing, Nursing Home Administrator and District Director of Operations in Assisted Living. Cheryl’s various roles in the nursing home setting provided her with a keen understanding of the needs of the aging population. Cheryl had the opportunity to work with excellent teams and experienced deficiency-free surveys.Cheryl’s research encompasses issues related to the aging population including fall prevention, care of the aging population, education of care providers and technology. Cheryl has extensive experience presenting seminars and speaking at National and International conferences on the topics of Geriatrics, Culture Change, Leadership, Management, and Adult Education.
She is an Eden Associate, Eden Trainer and a staunch advocate of culture change and person-directed care. Cheryl spent time in Ireland participating in a research project related to the use of robotics and the aging population living with dementia. Cheryl’s most recent volunteer role is as a death doula, providing comfort to the elderly at the end of life.
As an educator, Cheryl has been working with hundreds of nursing students working to obtain their master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing. Cheryl’s career as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, and the successful work she has done with other LPNs was the catalyst for her to write this book and share the concepts included with all LPNs.
