Leadership Skills for Licensed Practical Nurses Working with the Aging Population

Cheryl Kruschke, EdD, MS, RN, CNE has been an Associate Professor in the Loretto Heights School of Nursing, Regis University, Denver, USA, since 2008. She teaches in the nursing program in the areas of Leadership and Management, Gerontology, Finance, Accounting, Economics and Statistics. Prior to coming to Regis University, Cheryl also held an adjunct faculty position at Cardinal Stritch University for 11 years. Cheryl holds a Doctoral degree in Education as well as Bachelor's degrees in Business and Nursing and Master's degrees in Health Care Administration and Nursing. Her nursing career began in 1980 as a LPN working in the long-term care setting. Her work in long-term care spans over 20 years in a variety of roles including nursing assistant, LPN, RN, Supervisor, Manager of Education and Quality Assurance, Director of Nursing, Nursing Home Administrator and District Director of Operations in Assisted Living. Cheryl's various roles in the nursing home setting provided her with a keen understanding of the needs of the aging population. Cheryl had the opportunity to work with excellent teams and experienced deficiency-free surveys. Cheryl's research encompasses issues related to the aging population including fall prevention, care of the aging population, education of care providers and technology. Cheryl has extensive experience presenting seminars and speaking at National and International conferences on the topics of Geriatrics, Culture Change, Leadership, Management, and Adult Education. She is an Eden Associate, Eden Trainer and a staunch advocate of culture change and person-directed care. Cheryl spent time in Ireland participating in a research project related to the use of robotics and the aging population living with dementia. Cheryl's most recent volunteer role is as a death doula, providing comfort to the elderly at the end of life. As an educator, Cheryl has been working with hundreds of nursing students working to obtain their master's and doctorate degrees in nursing. Cheryl's career as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, and the successful work she has done with other LPNs was the catalyst for her to write this book and share the concepts included with all LPNs.

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2: The Health Care System Related to the Aging Population.- Chapter 3: Regulatory Compliance and the Role of the Licensed Practical Nurse.- Chapter 4: Fiscal Management and the Role of the LPN (Working in Long-Term Care).- Chapter 5: The Role of the LPN as a Leader and Manager in the Health Care Setting.- Chapter 6: Communication Skills for the LPN.- Chapter 7: Team Building and the Civil Work Environment.- Chapter 8: Quality Improvement.- Chapter 9: Aspects Integral to Managing the Care Environment.- Chapter 10:  Developing a Culture Change Person-Centered Environment.- Chapter 11:  Current and Future Trends in Long Term Care.- Chapter 12: Licensed Practical Nurse Practice Acts across the Country.

"This is an excellent resource on leadership for licensed practical nurses, an area that is often absent in their formal education. ... The overall use of tables, communication tools, studies, and current trends provides many additional resources to support licensed practical nurses who are caring for an aging population." (Carolyn N. Martin, Doody's Book Reviews, June, 2018)

“This is an excellent resource on leadership for licensed practical nurses, an area that is often absent in their formal education. … The overall use of tables, communication tools, studies, and current trends provides many additional resources to support licensed practical nurses who are caring for an aging population.” (Carolyn N. Martin, Doody's Book Reviews, June, 2018)