Unlocking Excellence: LPN Academy

Project description: Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) play a vital role in the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) community, particularly within ambulatory care services. However, the specialized knowledge and skills required for effective management of care in outpatient settings are often not included in traditional nursing curricula. To address this gap, the LPN Academy was developed to build upon existing nursing knowledge and expand it to include critical content components relevant to ambulatory care settings.
The LPN Academy is structured to align with professional standards established by the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses and the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) standards 8 through 15. This program also integrates the VHA’s mission, core values, and strategic plan, ensuring that LPNs are equipped to deliver high-quality, standardized care to patient populations, especially focusing on gerontological conditions commonly encountered in ambulatory care.
The Academy employs a blended learning approach that combines didactic teaching with scenario-based discussions, interactive activities, and hands-on practice. This methodology aims to enhance the clinical knowledge and skills of LPNs, ultimately improving patient outcomes and ensuring consistent, quality care.
Learning outcome: Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to effectively manage the care of gerontological populations in ambulatory care settings, utilizing evidence-based practices and adhering to professional standards.
Program implementation: The program was piloted with a comprehensive needs assessment, revealing significant interest among LPNs in gerontology certification and training in medication and vaccine administration. The Academy's curriculum was developed to address these needs, offering a two-day course that includes lectures, simulations, role-playing, case studies, and small group discussions.
Evaluation: Post-program evaluations demonstrated a 25% increase in knowledge, with 77% of participants scoring 80% or above on assessments. Participants reported high satisfaction with the course content, teaching methods, and the applicability of new skills and knowledge to their practice.
Conclusion: The LPN Academy effectively enhances the knowledge and skills of LPNs in ambulatory care settings, aligning with professional standards and addressing critical gaps in traditional nursing education. By focusing on gerontological care and evidence-based practices, the program ensures that LPNs are well-prepared to meet the needs of their patient populations and contribute to the overall quality of care in the VA community.