[pagandeva2000]

I have to echo that it sincerely depends on where you live. In my area, LPNs are still used in hospitals. Some of them have limited them to where in the hospital they can work, or the duties that can be performed, however, they are still being utilized. I do suspect that there are changes that will take place due to many hospitals applying for Magnet Status, but, we still have options. In addition, some agencies pay LPNs pretty close to what some are paying RNs, with only a difference of about $10 an hour. In fact, I was speaking to an RN today that worked for a place that paid $28 an hour and I was being paid $30 at a different agency. Now, THAT blew me away!

[LPNboo2008]

Originally Posted by Fiona59

Hate to point out BUT it really depends on where YOU live and work.

Up here in Canada, the LPN has become the diploma nurse. All RNs in my province require a BScN degree.

There is no shortage of work for either grade of nurse. The scope of practice is very similar.

This is true. I'm getting married in a couple months to a soldier, so I will really have limited choices of where I will live in the near or distant future. I have read so many articles about all this talk about phasing out it just gives me a headache, thinking I wasted 18 months of my life to get educated and to know that medical assistants are being hired to jump in and do what I worked so hard to do, with very little education.

I know hospitals and health care in general are all trying to find ways to cut cost, but is it really fair to the patients, families, and Rn's? I'm going to go back to school, but I don't want to work at a hospital where I have to depend on someone that took a couple classes to help take care of patients. Can you say lawsuits out the yin yang! I understand that not all places are like this. I am happy there are states that do not support this. Quality patient care will go straight down the toilet....no offense to any medical assistants, but in order to understand you must be educated very well and consistently....now if they make them take the NLN and then the NCLEX first along with a class strictly about nursing fundamentals, med-surg 1 and 2, OB and PEDS, and of course pharmacology, not to mention 700 plus hours of clinical....and keep a 2.5 average...hey I couldn't say a thing. No one could. They would of went through the training I and so many others went through. The state of Georgia's averages changed as of 6 months ago. It used to be keep a 75 or see ya and pharmacology, you couldn't make under a 90 on each test. Now just have a 70 average and you pass. I'm worried about the quality of nurses graduating from the tech schools in the next 6 months and a few that were in our class. I was not a straight A student, but I did manage to keep a 3.6 throughout the entire time at school and never scored under a B on any of my test. I am very passionate about nursing and concerned with where it is heading.

I did read a magazine a couple days ago while I was visiting my previous instructor and the need for medical assistants are projected to be #1 most needed in the medical field by the year 2012. I asked her what she thought and she sighed, and said go get back into school and get as much education you can while you're young. She's 58 and is heading back to school. If I had of known what I know now; I would of went straight into going for my RN. Hind sight is 20/20, but at the same time I am thankful that I didn't because I wouldn't of met such dedicated, compassionate, independent women. I may or may not of learned as much in LPN school, I'm sure it will help with some of the A&P classes, med-surg, OB, Peds, and mental health...oh well, I will soon find out.

PS....they are hiring MAs in doctors offices here and LTCF....I live in a tiny town.

I know I will definitely have a job on base no matter where we go. I have no experience compared to most of you. I haven't even begun my journey out into the field besides clinical. I wish everyone the best with whatever they decide to do. I am also thinking ultrasound tech....I want to do a little of everything. I believe that is why my prior instructors are pushing me to go so far with the education. Plus I'm a dork....I hope I didn't offend anyone. I do at times seem to have a way of doing that without realizing it, so my apologies in advance. Good luck to all and hopefully health care gurus will come to their senses.

[MIKE411]

I feel as with the rising cost of health care the hospital heads are going to do everything they can to cut costs. Lets just hope they understand what a value LPN are.

[lpnflorida]

It has been said we were a dying breed since I graduated in 1978,,yet here I am still working a hospital. \\

Times change, and somethings never change, the pendulum just swings back and forth

[mariyahsmommy]

I live in NJ and around here, they are not hiring LPN's in hospitals at all. I am currently taking my pre-reqs at a snail's pace to get my RN. But then the other day, someone said to me that EVEN with your RN degree, you won't get hired in hospital. NOW they are saying that you MUST have already or at least PROOF that you are WORKING on GETTING your BSN!!!! Now , I ask you WHAT GIVES?????!!!!??? Do we, as LPN's who are (46) (meaning Me!), continue to get the RN degree if there is NO CHANCED of getting in to a hospital???? I have no intention at my age to go any further than the Associate degree.

Anyone know if this is true or not?

[LPNboo2008]

Originally Posted by mariyahsmommy

I live in NJ and around here, they are not hiring LPN's in hospitals at all. I am currently taking my pre-reqs at a snail's pace to get my RN. But then the other day, someone said to me that EVEN with your RN degree, you won't get hired in hospital. NOW they are saying that you MUST have already or at least PROOF that you are WORKING on GETTING your BSN!!!! Now , I ask you WHAT GIVES?????!!!!??? Do we, as LPN's who are (46) (meaning Me!), continue to get the RN degree if there is NO CHANCED of getting in to a hospital???? I have no intention at my age to go any further than the Associate degree.

Anyone know if this is true or not?

I have heard this before. If you have your BSN you are more likely to be hired, then someone else with their RN. I have researched until I am blue in the face. What I intend to do is to at least make it to my bachelors. If I go any further it will be because I have no other choice when it comes to taking care of my family. I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about working right now......don't know how long that will last with the economy in the shape it's in....but I have heard the same. My previous instructors are encouraging me to go all the way to my masters and become a NP.....well, I'm 33 by then I will be 38 or 39. I will miss my 12 year old daughters high school years. My 6 year old will be at that age by then. You have to figure it all out for yourself. No matter what education you have.....you will never know it all. Age is only a number. You are not old. One of my previous instructors is 58 and she is going back for her BSN. It's just the way the system works it flip flops around....and possibly by the time I get my BSN there may be no jobs for me. They may just be wanting Rns. One thing is for sure with all the research I have done. LPNs are being phased out...replaced by MAs and CNAs...home health care is on a rise and with those two professions being less costly insurance companies are going to point more toward them.
Now about the BSN I have thought about it and God knows I am too much of a thinker. With all the MAs taking over for the LPNs in hospitals they are going to need more people with an upper level of education to watch over these MAs because the Rns are going to be going out of their minds busy and rechecking on patients because of being scared to death that a law suit is coming. Basically the Rn is going to taking the role of the LPN and MA is taking a role of the LPN....if that makes any sense. Not that they are equal in that sense, but it is giving the Rns more of a work load. The Rn with the BSN will take on the role of management, that is the way they are taught. They will just have to be more involved with patient care then they have been in the past.
I am only talking theory. I have read several articles and have come up with my own theories.
I believe if you have your Rn you will not have to worry about finding a job no matter where you are, but in order to be in the place you want to be you may have to get your BSN. Different states have different things going on. If you google and research what you are looking for you can find out what is going on in your state. It just takes time to find legit articles.
Good luck to you and you are not too old...don't let anybody tell you different. You can always go online and take a LPN to BSN course. University of Illinois or Indiana offers one. Again good luck with everything!

[lpnflorida]

I have not seen or worked with one MA in a hospital setting, yes they are in doctors offices in our area, but not in the hospitals. Perhaps it is different in other areas of the country.


Yes, ideally go for your RN while you have the inclination to do so.

[pagandeva2000]

The medical assistants that have gotten hired at the hospital I work for function as PCAs. They do not administer medications or treatments.

[fhrpalpn]

yes where I work it the same I work 75% as a Psych aid but I don't loose and money that an advantage. here in pa.

[miffe03]

Hi, I,m an LVN living and working in northern California, and yes its in a hospital med-surg, 12hr nights. While its true the unions that represent RNs in California are trying to squeeze out LVNs the biggest trouble maker is CNA, Oh what do these letters stand for California Nurses Association, Who apparently don't recognise LVNs as nurses. However local hospitals around where I live have been hiring LVNs for all shifts and this includes full-part time with benefits. Taking away skills taught to LVNs is a waste of time because you will never remove that skill from the mind. Thanks for reading.