I have just 5 more weeks to go in my PCT class. So the other day we were (my classmates & I) discussing how our roles are phasing out the LPN's in the hospital setting. I stated that I'm on the fence about this one because there are STILL a lot of hospitals in our area (DC-Balt) that still hires the LPN's. So my question is ARE PCT's REALLY REPLACING THE ROLE OF THE LPN IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING OR IS THIS ANOTHER ROAMER THAT KEEPS SPREADING AROUND TO FORCE LPN's TO BECOME AN RN?

In my hospital, we PCTs ARE replacing the LPNs. 6 months ago all LPNs were laid off(including LPNs who have worked at that hospital for 40+ years) and a huge amount of PCTs were hired. We're cheaper than LPNs. My hospital allows us to draw blood, remove catheters and IVs, do blood sugar checks, EKGs, etc, and we had a 3 day training course at a local college. We are in some ways taking the LPNs place. Not in all hospitals, but in mine we definitely are.

In my hospital, we PCTs ARE replacing the LPNs. 6 months ago all LPNs were laid off(including LPNs who have worked at that hospital for 40+ years) and a huge amount of PCTs were hired. We're cheaper than LPNs. My hospital allows us to draw blood, remove catheters and IVs, do blood sugar checks, EKGs, etc, and we had a 3 day training course at a local college. We are in some ways taking the LPNs place. Not in all hospitals, but in mine we definitely are.

Wow.....So if this is true then why are Community Colleges still offering the class......Thanks for responding......So what state do you live in if you don't mind me asking?

I find that a lot of the people I know that have taken the LPN program go on to work in nursing homes, not hospitals. I live in Indiana.

In different areas of the country, the phase change is happening at different rates of speed. One example: look at how many jurisdictions now allow workers below the level of LPN to administer medications? One by one, they remove the tasks formerly allotted to licensed nurses and then they can justify having the lower paid workers instead. You have to keep one step ahead of the phase change in your neck of the woods. That is why I recommend to anyone considering nursing to make a BSN and the RN license their initial goal. Cut 'em off at the pass, so that your skill and credential set remains relevant from the beginning of your career.

In pa many PCT are enrolling in nursing programs because they are required to do a lot skills but aren't getting paid but 10-11/hr.

I've seen a lot of QMAs take the place of LPNs in the assisted living facility, but even the DON and case managers were LPNs there.

PCTs at my hospital pays 12/hr. We're cheaper than LPNs, but they have more of us now.

I mean our state shut down a few LPN programs awhile back and the burden went to private institutions. However, I am seeing a resurrection of LPN and LVN within the state. The issue I have is a state program is $11,000 and private is $30,000 where a PCA program is $3,000 you learn scope of a CNA, but also other skills like EKGs and Phlebotomy.

I 100% agree with Redhead. Both large medical centers in my city are quickly replacing LPNs with Techs. We are allowed to do everything LPNs can do, MOST techs are younger with more availability and cheaper. Techs range anywhere from $9/hr-$20/hr depending on experience, educations, and status (FT/PT/PRN). It is very sad to see the older LPNs that pour their heart and soul into their job get replaced for financial reasons, however it is happening and I think schools should be more open with LPN program job outlooks and recruit more for tech programs.

I've seen some areas that are doing the opposite, getting rid of CNA's/PCT's and replacing them with LPN's. LPN's can do significantly more than a PCT and the cost to the hospital is marginally more compared to the cost of a PCT. From a clinical perspective, this makes alot of sense.

Yes and no. A rehab famous rehab in our state booted any LPN not in a nursing program out the door. However, some hospitals still hiring them in lieu of a paramedic in the ER. A bit lower pay, but group homes and busy school's in are area hire them to assist the nurse. Normally group homes and schools just have one nurse. The other kicker is pretty much every hospital in our state is going Magnet Status. So BSNs work in the hospitals Associate nurse's in rehabs filling in the gap of LPNs. Then CNAs are required to increase skills by doing blood work, EKGs, possibly start lines, and give non controlled medication orally on top of current roles. Huge changes in our state.

Yes and no. A rehab famous rehab in our state booted any LPN not in a nursing program out the door. However, some hospitals still hiring them in lieu of a paramedic in the ER. A bit lower pay, but group homes and busy school's in are area hire them to assist the nurse. Normally group homes and schools just have one nurse. The other kicker is pretty much every hospital in our state is going Magnet Status. So BSNs work in the hospitals Associate nurse's in rehabs filling in the gap of LPNs. Then CNAs are required to increase skills by doing blood work, EKGs, possibly start lines, and give non controlled medication orally on top of current roles. Huge changes in our state.

I've never heard of LPNs working in the ER instead of Paramedics. The two have a completely different scope and training. Almost all of the skills required of an ER tech are already things a Paramedic is trained and experienced in, whereas LPNs aren't really trained in most of these things and would have to learn from scratch.

I know there can be friction between ER techs that are licensed Paramedics and RNs because Paramedics in the field have a scope of practice that far exceeds what an RN can do, but in the ER have to play second fiddle to RNs they may view as less qualified. The paragod complex doesn't play well in the ER.

Even still if Paramedics cant play nice with RNs hospitals will usually just use EMTs or CNAs as techs instead. I've never seen LPNs in the ER aside from a few older ones that were holdovers from the days LPNs worked extensively In hospitals.