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Complete 3 pages APA formatted article: Importance of Licensed Practical Nurses. Importance of Licensed Practical Nurses

To this date, an enormous debate persists as to whether licensed practical nurses (LPNs), are of importance in the healthcare system. People are in conflict between phasing them out and absorbing them into other fields within the institutions. The LPNs have, therefore, had to reconsider rejoining school for further training to become (RNs) registered nurses. Alternatively, they have the option of applying for other positions within the hospital. With this latter decision, their wages will remain intact and not be affected. However, straight-forward this might appear to be, not everyone is in agreement about the issue at hand (Claywell 34).

One group is of the opinion that the process of phasing out LPNs is beneficial to the entire healthcare system and would prove to be more advantageous than retaining them. They support their claims by analyzing different facets that would be affected by following through with this plan. Firstly, all those in favor agree on the financial benefits that would result from such a decision. They posit, it would be profitable for hospitals and other health care institutions to phase out LPNs. This is because it would reduce the number of employees considerably, thus, saving the institutions on employment wages. LPNs normally work under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Phasing them out will, therefore, not affect the day-to-day functioning of these institutions. Patients will still be attended to by the registered nurses who are capable of making decisions even in the absence of physicians unlike LPNs who lack the qualifications to do so (Claywell 67).

They also advance that the system ensures LPNs do not end up unemployed despite management phasing them out. This will, therefore, solve the challenge of unemployment that would result from the phasing out plan. They applaud the system’s humane way of treating these employees. This is because those who follow the path towards becoming RNs receive support from their employers who provide services such as LPN-to-RN training programs. They also cater for those who opt to apply for other positions within the institutions (Rutledge 67). They ensure their salaries remain intact. LPNs can, therefore, continue living their lives as they did before without having to worry about matters like job security. Most organizations all around the world simply offer exceptionally inflexible compensation packages when they phase out employees. From the mentioned benefits, those in agreement with this plan see fit to support it.

LPNs play extremely prominent roles in healthcare systems, despite the fact, that these roles might appear insignificant. For example, they administer medication, change wound dressings and assist patients when they want to use the bathroom. LPNs ensure the patient’s stay within the walls of healthcare institutions is a comfortable and pleasant one. Most LPNs are caring and compassionate individuals who care about the welfare of patients. They interact with the patients much more than the physicians interact with their patients forming close bonds between them. This allows for the patient to confide in them eliminating the loneliness and the putrid smell found within such institutions. They also ease the physicians and RNs burden especially when the hospitals are full. They do this by attending to the immediate, basic needs of the patients while the qualified personnel attend to patients who need immediate medical attention. Their presence also gives the physicians and RNs time to rest. The latter does not have to worry about patient’s day-to-day healthcare. They simply have to make their rounds from time to time to check on the progress charts recorded by LPNs as per their instructions (Rose 45).

People who do not qualify to work in the healthcare industry as physicians or RNs can still find fulfillment by working as LPNs. Just like other professions, it allows for individuals to experience hope, a sense of pride and fulfillment in their lives. It has also served as a stepping stone for those interested in medicine as a career. This is because, LPNs are able to acquire more knowledge from their day-to-day experience. This makes the concepts taught in academic institutions easy to learn (Rose 69). Compared to other students who are encountering some concepts for the first time, LPNs are steps ahead, hence, hugely advantaged. From these, it is clear why many people profoundly disagree with the entire phasing out recommendation. The premises listed above support the conclusion that phasing out NPNs is a terrible idea and will have negative consequences to the healthcare system.

Views of both those who are against and for the phasing out idea both advance such strong arguments. This makes it harder to side with either of the two sides. It is, therefore, left to an individual to decide on what side to agree with depending on what appeals to them. This debate presents a convenient way in which people learn how to formulate valid arguments.

Works cited

Claywell, Lora. LPN to RN Transitions. New York: Mosby Elsevier. 2008.

Rose, Gladwell. “Benefits of LPN over RN? .” Monday, 6 April 2009. All Nurses. Sunday, 15

April 2012 .

Rutledge, Gloria. “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” Thursday, 29 March 2012 . Licensed

Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. 15 April 2012

.