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The Challenges of My Transition

Blessing Adekunle

Faculty of Health Discipline, Athabasca University

NURS 250: Exploration of professional Nursing Practice: Assignment 1

 Marlyss Valiant

October 25, 2021

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Where am I now and where am
I going?
Faculty of Health Disciplines,
Athabasca University
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The Challenges of My Transition

Who I am and where I am going?

I am a mother of three lovely kids and a very passionate nurse. My nursing journey began in

2013 when I was pregnant with last child. As a new immigrant, I was not able find a job in my

first degree, “Accounting” because all my interviewers wanted a Canadian experience from me.

Meanwhile, the economy was just recovering from a recession; and I decided to enroll in the

Health Care Aide program with Robinson College in Calgary. After which I started working for

a home care agency and few months later, I got a job with supportive living facility. This is

where got I challenged and decided to improve myself and progress in my Nursing career.

In 2018, I received diploma in Licensed Practical Nurse from Bow Valley College and

for complete three years I have worked in a long care facility. The facility comprises of multi

discipline group which includes visiting physical, recreational therapist, physiotherapist,

occupation therapist, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurse and Health Care Aides. In the

facility my duty as a nurse includes giving injection, wound dressing, taking vital signs, patients

teaching, and examining blood work or tests. Medication administration is also an important part
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of my job and to update doctor on the resident health status. I also had the responsibility to

oversee the health care aide and support them in the discharge of their duties

Qualities that I am most proud

There are three significant attributes that I have developed while working as a Licensed

Practical Nurse that am so proud of. Firstly, Compassionate - I understand that relationships are

valuable in Nursing profession, and when someone tells a sad story I take the time to listen,

reassure, and comfort them. I feel like I could provide effective care to patients who are

undergoing physical pain and emotional stress. Secondly, Team Spirit - I have possessed the

ability to work well with others. In Nursing, Rosengarten (2021) sees teamwork as a critical tool

for transforming difficult situations into pleasant experience and improving patient care. Thirdly,

Communication - my communication skill has also greatly improved. Communication skills,

according to McCabe and Timmins (2013), goes a long way towards improving patient care and

outcomes and team relationships. I can effectively convey patients’ requests and conditions to

other members of the medical team to facilitate and optimal care, time management, and

efficiency. I take the time to listen, understand, and protect the patient’s cultural beliefs.

Characteristics that I would like to change

As I transition from Licensed Practical nurse to Registered nurse, there are few qualities

that I would like to change, organizational skill, documenting skill, critical thinking skills better

still I would love to improve my leadership abilities. Most importantly, I will work on my

organizational skill. As a floor Nurse having to supervisor the Health Care Aides, update the

physician on resident’s status, respond to family members request and coping with daily task of

resident assessment alongside medication administration to an average of twenty-five resident

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daily, my day routine is always chaotic. According to Weydt (2010), delegation is a difficult skill

to master due to the complexity of clinical judgement and final accountability. As a result,

creating delegation is a skill that need to be learn. Furthermore, as I progress in my career as

Registered Nurse, I would like to strengthen my documentation skill as I anticipate my

responsibility would increase as well as correspond scope. Lastly, I believe gaining a deeper

sense of critical thinking skills to provide better nursing care and anticipate future issues or

interventions are necessary for my patients. I feel that I would be able to provide the best

possible care to my patients. As well as I hope to gain a deeper knowledge to share with others

and make critical decisions that I know are appropriate and fitting for the circumstance.

The aspects of my role that are most frustrating

Nevertheless, working as a Licensed Practical Nurse I have seen three important

characteristics that are irritating, to start with, I have experienced a lack of respect because of my

Licensed Practical Nurse status. Regardless of the experience, expertise, or talents, and

Registered Nurse is more likely to be respected. More so, the low pay for Licensed Practical

Nurse is a source of frustration due to the high workload. In my unit, the Registered Nurse orders

an LPN around, this has a negative impact on my dedication in performing my duties. Finally,

Taking Verbal or Telephone Orders is so frustrating for me. I feel uncomfortable taking

telephone orders, as there is always a risk of misunderstanding or taking the wrong chart while in

a hurry or under pressure, thus increasing the risk of medication errors.

My role that is difficult to let go

As a floor Nurse, the most difficult role to let go would be one-on-one contact with

clients, as I get a feeling of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment each time, I receive
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positive feedback from clients and their family. This has helped me become more compassionate

in my Nursing role, the more time I spend with resident the more I understand, feel, and see

things from their point of view. However, as illustrated in the Grounded Theory’s three stages of

resistance on how nurses progress through the stages to independence, I realize that I will need to

let go at some point and reach out for help (Malrose & Wiishart, 2013)

The role I will embrace as I transition into the role of a RN BN.

According to Blais and Hayes (2006), “transition from one role to the next does not come

without barriers to be overcome.” I did not have trouble with Bridge’s ending phase or losing

focus phase, as I already knew right from the beginning that I wanted to be an RN. Once I started

LPN, I figured there was no going back, but rather forward with my initial aim of pursuing

nursing duties. However, before getting into the LPN program, I was confused, frustrated, and

did not want to pursue Nursing at all.

Once I overcame the barriers, mostly by praying, I began to feel inner peace and

comfortable in realizing that I did not give up. I have almost done all the Cluster A and

complementary courses. I am beginning to feel optimistic about the future, realizing that if I have

accomplished so much, what could now hinder me from going all the way?

As indicated by Dalton, Thompson, and Price’s career stages, I will embrace the

transition from Stage I to Stages II and III; that is, transitioning from “performing routine

duties…” to “working independently as a competent pro” as well as “influencing, guiding,

directing, and helping others to develop” (Blais & Hayes, 2006, p.24). As the Grounded Theory

points out, this would mean “moving away from somebody’s shadow” to thinking and acting

more independently (Malrose & Wishart, 2013).

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The aspects of new role will I resist

Having worked as LPN, I understand where I am coming from, I will not disrespect the LPNs,

but rather I will encourage and mentor them (LPNs) as well as appreciate their contributions

towards the team in achieving Resident care goal.

How the LPN History Will Hinder

According to the Grounded Theory’s findings, LPNs had emphasized that they “were already

nurses, not studying to become nurses”; Ref? this spelt resistance to the idea of resocialization

into a new role as RN. The LPN history will thus delay progress in reaching out for help and

moving towards the final stages of re-imagining into the role of independence.

How the LPN Role Will Help

My foundational knowledge as a Nurse, from my LPN program has made it comfortable

for me to work with clients and their families. I have also familiarized myself with the facility

environment, The skills that I have acquired will be a very useful quality as I transition.

Conclusion

As I round up, I realize that with hard work and grate determination, all my failures will be turn

into victories and at the end, I shall achieve my goals.

References
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Blais, K., & Hayes, J.S. (2006). Professional Nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (6th

ed.). Boston: Pearson Education Inc.

Malrose, S., & Wishart, P. (2013). Resisting, reaching out and re-imagining to independence:

LPN’s transitioning towards BN and beyond. International Journal of Nursing Education

Scholarship, 10(1), 17. Retrieved from or doi?