An Investigation into the Educational Needs of Licensed Vocational Nurses Working in Long-Term Care
Graduation Date
1-2008
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Nursing
Department or Program Chair
Barbara Ganley, PhD
Thesis Advisor
Margaret Fink, EdD, RN
Abstract
Current research has shown that long-term care residents have a higher level of desired outcomes when the majority of their care is provided by a registered nurse. However, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) make-up a major percentage of the staff employed in long-term care facilities throughout the United States. These nurses work as the primary care providers to long-term care residents under the direct supervision of a physician or a registered nurse, but research suggests they may lack the education and skills necessary to provide safe and effective care to this client population. This study seeks to determine the educational needs that will enable LVNs to provide care leading to improved client outcomes.
A questionnaire was used to investigate the perceived educational needs of licensed vocational nurses working in long-term care. The sampling frame consisted of 24 licensed vocational nurses, 24 registered nurses and two administrators who were selected from two LTC facilities in the Solano County of Northern California. One administrator, 16 LVNs, and 13 RNs returned the questionnaire, resulting in a 60% response rate. All respondents agree there is a need to change curriculum for LVNs to reflect the needs of residents in the long-term care environment. LVNs overwhelmingly reported feeling inadequately prepared in many of the patient care areas identified on the questionnaire upon entering long-term care, while RNs reported additional needs for training in areas not identified on the questionnaire. Further research should be implemented to determine at what phase this education transformation should occur and the specific content that should be delivered to LVNs in their education process to ensure quality outcomes of long-term care residents.