Free Essay Example on Role Transition

Introduction

My journey as a nurse started in 2010 after I gave birth to my first son. I was always interested in nursing since I was in high school, but ended up pursuing education in a more lucrative field. I completed the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program via distance learning and have I been in surgical nursing from then. After the birth of my second son, I have once again been inspired to further my education and become a registered nurse. While working as an LPN, I have been receiving instructions from registered nurses and doctors. My job was interacting with patients while providing the most basic care, like checking blood pressure and blood sugars. LPN offers any assistance the patient may need. As a Registered Nurse (RN), LPN will now be reporting to me.

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My Qualities

One of the qualities that I am proud of is that I am compassionate. It is essential to be understanding when working as an LPN. Handling patients is not easy unless the will comes from within. One needs to listen to the patient well and be empathetic. When the patient finds a nurse that they can share their issues freely, they feel more comfortable even when in pain. The other quality that I am proud of is that I can adapt to a different environment quickly. I am open to change, and I can adjust to a new working environment fast. Being a nurse requires one to adapt to changing the working environment since an emergency can happen and be sent to take care of patients in a different location. Most people are resistant to change, but it should not be the case with LPN. The third quality is that I am practical. I pay specific attention to details while listening to the patients. I ensure that I record the whole history so that the RN or the doctor who attends the patient can have an easy time.

There are some qualities that I would like to improve so that I can be more effective in my new role as a Registered Nurse. I want to become more assertive. I will advocate for patients’ rights and ensure that they are followed. I will take a problem- solving approach when solving patients’ issues. In most healthcare facilities, the clients lack a person who can advocate for their rights under all circumstances. I will also improve my organizational skills. Under my watch, I will ensure that there is more efficient patients care. I will organize my team and motivate them so that they can provide the best care to the patients who visit the healthcare facility. Patients feel relieved when they find a nurse who is ready to listen to them. I also want to become more patient. I will give the patient time to do some things by themselves instead of doing everything for them. When clients learn to do some activities by themselves, they continue recovering and learning because it is good exercise.

My Role

My role has been mainly in surgical nursing. I interact with patients mostly before and after they are operated. There are three main phases where the job of a surgical nurse is crucial. It starts with the preoperative, intraoperative, and, finally, postoperative phase. The stages simply mean before, during, and after the surgery.

One aspect of the role that I usually value is communication. Nursing involves frequent contact with the patient. Sometimes the patient might be having stressful conditions and unable to communicate as it should be. In all situations, the nurse should make the patient comfortable so that they can open up. Before undergoing surgery, it is the role of the surgical nurse to discuss with the patient why they need to undergo surgery and make them understand any risk that is involved. The functions make me understand the importance of communication. The position makes me believe that dialogue is therapeutic and helps the patient in recovering. I feel that giving the patient some hope goes a long way in their recovery process. Another aspect that I value is emotional support. In most circumstances, the patient has anxiety, not knowing what will happen during the surgery. It is critical to keep on assuring the patient that everything will be fine. Giving the patient emotional support makes me feel that there are people who need me, and I should always be there for them. The third aspect that I value is the care which is provided after the surgery. Most of the time, the patient will need some assistance up to the point that they will be able to do most of the things on their own. I feel great when I assist the patients and see them recover. When I see a patient doing well, I feel more motivated in my work.

Sometimes it is possible to find a frustrating situation. At times the patient may fail to obey or follow the instructions that are given. Such an occurrence can make the nurse angry. When I am faced with such, I learn to control my anger and understand that the journey might be rough sometimes. Sometimes the core-workers might be the source of frustration. I have learned that it is essential to handle all situations with utmost care to avoid disruption of services. I believe that differences might arise, but services should continue. The third frustrating situation is breaking death news to the patient's family. I believe that communication skills are essential in such cases. I must show empathy when communicating such information and be ready for any occurrence that might arise.

Transition

I am undergoing a planned change from LPN into RN. The change process is not always smooth. Most of the time, people resist change because of the fear of the unknown (Baetz, 1991). I was used to the function of an LPN, but I will have to learn new roles once I become an RN. One way of eliminating the fear of change is by leaning my new functions as an RN. There are things that I should expect as positive and others negative in my new roles. Preparation ensures that there is no frustration in the new position once the change is implemented (Melrose & Wishart, 2013). Planned change is better because it gives someone time to adjust.

One thing that will be difficult to let go is the experience of my interaction with the patients. My role as LPN was interesting because of the many interactions with all patients. It was my passion for serving them. I did everything wholeheartedly since it was my own will to become a nurse. It will be difficult to leave this role, but I will have to since change is inevitable (Blais & Hayes, 2016). There is no need to use more time and energy to resist. My history as an LPN might contribute to me finding it difficult to transition to other roles.

I will embrace my new role as an RN since I will have more impact on the provision of healthcare services. I will offer a wide range of services than when I was working as an RN. Some of the services that I will be offering include preventative and primary care. I will adopt all of my roles as an RN. There will be no duties that I will resist since I have prepared myself enough for the coming change. Talking about change has helped me prepare and be ready for what is ahead. Communication is essential when preparing for change. Focusing on the goals enables one to accept change (Melrose & Wishart, 2013). My goal was to become a registered nurse after furthering my education, and so there should be no hindrance to transition. My history as an LPN will help me in my transition. I will not be moving to a new field since I have been interacting with registered nurses. I have acquired some experience as I assist the RN and other physicians.

Conclusion

Most of the time, people tend to resist change. I will be transitioning from LPN to RN. As an LPN, I worked under registered nurses and doctors. I enjoyed interacting with patients and meeting their needs. It will be difficult leaving what I have always done and starting new roles but I am prepared for the change.

References

Baetz, S. (1991). Change is: Helping you respond more positively to your changing world. Charles Nathan Publishing. https://archive.org/details/changeispersonal00baet/

Blais, K. K., & Hayes, J.S. (2016). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (7th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.

Melrose, S., & Wishart, P. (2013). Resisting, reaching out, and re-imagining to independence: LPN’s transitioning towards BNs and beyond. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 10(1),17. https://auspace.athabascau.ca/bitstream/handle/2149/3383/ijnes-2012-0033.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y.