I just found out that I was accepted into the PN program starting in May. I was very excited until I stated reading some of the threads on here about the "phasing out" of lpn:eek: Now I'm starting to question my decision of becoming an lpn rather than RN. My husband is a truck driver and wanted to get off the road within the next year or two, and that was my biggest reason for chossing to become an lpn considering it's only a year of school rather than 3(including pre reqs) for RN.

Am I wasting my money and making a huge mistake by choosing lpn(in your opinion, of course)?

Are there any LPN's on here that regret their decision to become an lpn rather than RN?

Is it extremly important that I go back for RN in the future after becoming an lpn, or can I make a long-term career out of lpn??

The rumor abpout LPNs being phased out has been around for years, scaring a new crop of nursing students evey year. I have seen no evidence of it actually happening but it may deoend on your area.

This "phasing out" is true for most hospital work. The demand for LPN greatly depends on where you live. I finished my lpn a year and a half ago and haven't had any trouble finding work. But in general LPN are used a great deal in long term care, correctional facilities, clinics, and sometimes mental health facilities. Just because you go ahead with your LPN doesn't mean you have to stop there, stay in school part time to finish for gen ed, then when you are able to go back for your rn.

Yep, it pretty much depends on where you want to work. I've never had trouble getting a job, but the trend nowadays seems to be that LPNs LVNs are working mostly in LTC and/or private duty home care.

I have read posts from people who say that in their area hospitals are still hiring. You could start scoping classified ads and web sites in your area to get a feel for what the job market is, but "phasing out" all together? I don't think so. Best wishes to you.

I got my LPN in 1974. I think it was sometime in the 1980's that I first started hearing rumors of no more LPN's. That rumor has been around for a very long time.

I finished an LPN program in 1992. However, I very soon realized that there were few hospital jobs for LPNs so finished a bridge program, LPN to RN in 1994 and haven't regretted it.

Thanks for your comments :) I am new to allnurses, and I guess I was just having an uh-oh moment last night when I started reading about all the phasing out stuff

It's def a great idea to check my area and see what jobs are available and see if any phasing out is being done here. I never thought to check around for jobs because I just assumed that there would be plenty of jobs for any nurse. You hear so much talk about a shortage of nursing and automatically assume that if you go into any nursing program you'll find a job right away after graduating...

I'm still really excited that I got accepted into the program and believe that everything happens for a reason. It's nice to have suggestions from those of you who are already working as an lpn and RN, and to get advice on what the advantages and disadvantages may be...Thanks for your help :redbeathe