[alcml6473]

Sounds crazy to me since the babyboomers are becoming more advanced in age and we will need all the LPN's we can get our hands on for Medicare rehab and LTC. I have a feeling this would be great big law suits waiting to happen.

[lilmeeper123]

With the shortage of Nurses that everywhere is facing - WHY would anyone get rid of/phase out any nurse? I am an RN and love working with LPNs and unlicensed staff. But if I was a patient and given the choice as to who I would rather have for my care - give me the LPN any day. I am concerned about the education level of the QMA and the burden that it puts on the RN and LPN for their very limited work capabilities. We do not have them as far as I know. I agree that the voices of the LPNs needs to be heard - please contact your representatives and get others to do so as well.

[Polly Dipcya]

I have been both a QMA and a CMA...now I'm an LPN (well hopefully took, nclex on 207...and going on to be an RN....I've heard they were going "phase out" LPN for 20 years.....Yes we have less opportunities than we use to and many ltc and dr offices are using qma and CMA's ....QMA;s are CNA's that can pass meds thats it.they are not nurses....they cant give shots, iv, insert foleys etc.....CMA's are in between a qma and a nurse... but CMA do not do assesments, care plans etc...but they can give shots, draw blood, do ekg's dress wounds, call in scripts to pharmacies..good job no weekends, holidays, nites but the pay sucks about $9 starting out....It takes just as long to be an LPN as it does to be a CMA... CMA's are not licensed..and some dr.s offices hire and train their own medical assistants...they do not have to be certified in Indiana.. and most patients assume the medical assistant is a nurse....As long as u love your job thats all that counts...i'd rather make $15 an hour and love my job that make $20 and hate it!!!...LIsten to your heart..and just do it...it doent matter where u start as long as u start somewhere...and its never to late to go back to school...good luck

[mrs.frog]

Its scary to think that doctors office are going to be using Ma's only ( possibly QMA's). They do not have the training to pass meds, in my opinion, or do any injections. But they do! Some of the ones I work with in my job have no clue about interactions/injection procedures etc etc. We had one who was drawing blood and stuck the needle in a tendon.( she thought is was a vein) Not good!
Here in Bloomington, Lpn's that retire or quit at B-Town hospital are not being replaced. They want all their staff to be RN's( more money for the hsopital and they are trying to get trauma/magnet status).
Ivy Tech is working with the hospital. They stated that there are over 2000 LPN grads who they are trying to get in to get their RN.

[CantWait2Nurse]

I have heard the same thing which is unfortunate because I am in my 7th week of LPN school. I also heard that most LPN will more than likely go to work in LTC which I have no desire what so ever to work. If that becomes the case in the future I think I would rather take a pay cut and get medical assistant pay than do LTC . Or maybe just leave the floors to teach or do desk work. This is just my 2 cents. What would everyone else do if push came to shove?

[ITsurvivor06]

The talk about phasing out LPNs first began in the mid-60s and has ebbed and flowed ever since, but never actually happened. It is true that hospitals are "encouraging" their LPNs to become RNs, that is if they want to continue working there, and not hiring any more. But IMHO any current LPN student who is concerned need not be. LPNs are very valuable, and long term care would crumble to its knees without us. And, no offense to any particular poster, I have noticed on various threads a disdain for LTC--an "I have NO intention of doing LTC" sentiment that seems to be especially common among the very young--early 20s. I have a hunch that some young people have a lot of negative images of nursing homes--not to blame them, it's not their fault--but once you work with the elderly you discover what totally cool people they really are. I love being around them, and learn a lot from them. They have been where I've been, but I've not been where they are yet, and for that reason alone they deserve a lot of respect. Don't discount LTC--it could become your bread and butter!
Having said all that, I've now jumped down from my soapbox to say that in addition to LTC, there is homecare, hospice, outpatient clinics, doctor's offices and more. The hospital is not the only game in town, but if that's where you have your heart set, then yes you probably need to get your RN. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if sometime down the road the trend will reverse itself and LPNs will once again be welcomed in hospitals.
_____________________________________

[mrs.frog]

I also love working with the elderly and it is very satisfying. They are not the problem. Its the actual LTC facility that is terrible. They are always short of staff which leaves some residents without the care they deserve. I have worked in some where due to staff shortages, the residents don't even get turned in bed, changed or fed! The staff come in their room, put the tray of food on their bedside table and walk out. Never mind this person can't feed themselves but are mentally aware there is food there and they can't get to it.
I have been an LPN for 17 years have had the experience of working in an LTC facility here in the USA. I stayed 3 days one place and a week the next. Finding the conditions absolutely horrid, I refuse to work in one again. My hearts goes out to the 80 year old resident who sits in the same chair, for 15 hours a day, in the same depends with food dripping down his chin and no one there to wipe it off. And then I have even seen the aides go room to room looking for the goodies off the residents trays and eating them!
I do love working with the elderly but I cannot be looking after, passing meds, doing treatments for 80 + residents in one shift. Its virtually impossible for anyone.
If the laws and regulations were to change for the LTC facilities and the gov't became more involved and used higher standards, then the nursing staff might be more inclined to remain at their jobs. The money is very good but not for the stress that you carry in these positions and the heartfelt sorrow foe the conditions in which these elderly patients are treated.
Dont get me wrong, some nursing homes are excellent. Some are horrid.
LPN-RN for me! Many more opportunities in the future.

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

I've heard (for a while now) that LPNs will be phased out and I've heard also that they will do away with QMAs. Which is true, I don't know but I'll believe it when I see it.

[mary23]

Its funny cuz it all changes every few years in 5 years you might hear seeking LPN's for hospital b/c they are cheaper help than an RN. It all turns and it is so frustrating but they have to have x amout of nurses per QMA and CMA depending onth facility and the states regulation, fortunatly Indians nurse practices act is vague and LPN's can do alot more in our state than others.

[nurturing_angel]

I climbed the ladder from aide to QMA to LPN to RN over the past 30 some years and all along the climb I heard that LPNs would soon be a thing of the past. It would be a shame if this became reality as I truly believe my "technical skills" were honed in my LPN years and only enhances my performance as an RN. I love LPN's. As someone with many medical diagnosis's with more being piled onto me with every doctor visit and a potential pt at any given moment, I rather like the idea of having LPN's take care of me. Shoot, we have 2 LPN's where I work that are seriously awesome in their knowledge base and their clinical skills.
I don't think LPNs can or should be phased out but stranger things have happened. Talk to your schools and your representatives. State associations for nurses should be able to help.