[Sharon]

Many nurses and nursing leaders are uncomfortable with the overlap between the RPN and RN roles and would like a list of who can do what to cover all possible scenarios. Are you able to articulate the roles of the RPN and RN?

[Samantha]

At my facility (LTC) the roles/responsibilities of RNs and RPNs are very overlapping. The expectations is that all nurses work collaboratively and support one another or the best resident outcomes. This could look like a RN supporting a RPN with a new dressing type she has not had previous experience or perhaps it is an experienced RPN demonstrating how to manage a resident with responsive behaviors to a new/novice RN.

[Kirandip]

Nursing care environments are usually constantly evolving in terms of what their client populations’ needs are and the associated nursing tasks related to those client needs, and so a task list of who can do what would need to be changed accordingly and would be difficult to keep up. Secondly, and most imperatively, is that in terms of “who can do what” when it comes to RPN and RN roles and the overlap, there is no simple answer because many times the answer is “it depends” on factors such as what the knowledge, context, and competence level is of each RN or RPN that comprises that team. For example, a RPN with 10 years of experience in one setting, may be knowledageable and competent at a nursing skill than a new grad RN. It seems there is unfortunately no simple answer to this question as it depends on the individual nurses (RNs and RPNS), the environment, and the clients and a sort of “one size fits all” task list would be difficult to formulate and apply across different unique settings.

[Megan]

I completely agree with your statement. When I worked in the hospital on the medical units, seeing the seasoned RPN working alongside the new grad RN, the RN would look for guidance and support from the RPN as they knew more from working and experiencing situations more than the new grad RN has.

[Megan]

The roles where I work, I find don’t overlap. The role for the RN is Supervising. She does all of the backend work, the office work creating policies and procedures, dealing with overseeing all staff, etc. Where as the RPN are the frontline workers alongside the PSW. The RPN does home visits, nursing homecare, case management and assisting the PSW. If there is a conflict with a client of family, the RN steps in, or there is something the RPN staff is unsure of, then they go to the RN for guidance and direction.

[Kirandip]

Hi Megan. I am familiar with this type of structure of roles between RNs, RPNs and PSWs as well. I think it is very helpful to have a supervisor that you can consult and collaborate with and vice versa depending on the situation at hand – a symbiotic relationship between the roles where there is mutual benefits to maintaining harmony between the roles and their delivery of care.

[Author]

Posts