[gentlegiver]

Massachusetts did that decades ago. LPN's are allowed to work in LTC, DR offices, Clinics. A couple area hospitals have hired 2 or 3 LPN's for floor work (for the whole building not per unit) but here we are not considered educated enough for hospital. The latest rulling here is that, for agency nurses, RN's will be paid less to work LTC and LPN's more, and RN's will be paid more to stay with hospitals and LPN's will be paid less. This is to keep LPN's in LTC settings and RN in hospital settings.

[xoemmylouox]

I can say that where I live in IN they aren't hiring LPN's in the hospital anymore. I had to get my license in another state to even have the hope to work in the hospital.

[midcom]

In this area,the large hospitals still hire LPNs although not as many. One of the the big ones which wants to be a Magnet hospital, is phasing them out or forcing them to go on to be RNs if they want to stay on.
The small hospitals only want RNs so that every nurse is qualified to do everything. It really makes sense but unfortunate for LPNs who would be very good nurses there.
Dixie

[Brownms46]

Originally Posted by midcom

In this area,the large hospitals still hire LPNs although not as many. One of the the big ones which wants to be a Magnet hospital, is phasing them out or forcing them to go on to be RNs if they want to stay on.
The small hospitals only want RNs so that every nurse is qualified to do everything. It really makes sense but unfortunate for LPNs who would be very good nurses there.
Dixie

You know those hospitals that are phasing LPNs out could have and could do themselves a big favor by assisting LPNs who want to become RNs to do so.

A large health system here does just that, and the nurses work part time for full time work. There is also a pilot program started by the labor Dept in several major cities, that assist employers to help lpns, CNA, just about anyone who wants to get their RN to do so.

Strange thing about it is, that not many in the pilot areas except Chicago have taken advantage of the program.

[unitek1963]

Here in Northern California, most of the big hospitals have already begun the phase out. Kaiser and Mercy no longer staff or hire LPN's.

I think it's a travesty, but unless your get your RN, I think LTC is the only place you will find LPN's in any great numbers in the future.

It's this dwindling lack of opportunity that has made the decision for me to pursue my RN degree.

*sigh* More school!

[bluegeegoo2]

Originally Posted by gentlegiver

Massachusetts did that decades ago. LPN's are allowed to work in LTC, DR offices, Clinics. A couple area hospitals have hired 2 or 3 LPN's for floor work (for the whole building not per unit) but here we are not considered educated enough for hospital. The latest rulling here is that, for agency nurses, RN's will be paid less to work LTC and LPN's more, and RN's will be paid more to stay with hospitals and LPN's will be paid less. This is to keep LPN's in LTC settings and RN in hospital settings.

Same thing in S. Indiana. LPN's in the hospitals work as "techs" for nearly $5/hr less than what we can make in LTC. We can't do central line pushes, hang blood products, do initial assessments, much of anything other than give insulins, pass meds, and get yelled at by the Dr.'s (and families). It's depressing. That's why I'm going back to school. I like working w/the elderly, but am essentially trapped in it. I could work in a clinic, but that pretty well narrows down my choices here. LTC or clinic. Whee.

[tferdaise]

I think people are missing the most important issue. Scope of Practice...... Here in AZ, the LPN is treated very poorly by the State Board. The LPN hands are tied on what they can do, but if you go to Washingtion, TX, FL the scope of practice is much wider and it is easier for them to use LPNs in high level of care units. I am lucky that I work in a hospital as a LPN and yes, I'm back in school to get my BSN (university of Phoenix) so I'm safe as far as being let go. But there aren't many hospitals that hire LPNS in AZ....

[HERNANDO-RN]

I Certainly Hope So. In My Opinion, Lpn's Do Not Belong In The Acute Care Setting Due To Their Limited Scope Of Practice. There Are A Few Remaining Lpn's At My Hospital...and It Is A Burden Working With Them. They Cannot Take Telephone Orders, Do Admission Assessments Or Iv Pushes....that Gets Dumped On The Rn's Working With Them.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Originally Posted by HERNANDO-RN

I Certainly Hope So. In My Opinion, Lpn's Do Not Belong In The Acute Care Setting Due To Their Limited Scope Of Practice. There Are A Few Remaining Lpn's At My Hospital...and It Is A Burden Working With Them. They Cannot Take Telephone Orders, Do Admission Assessments Or Iv Pushes....that Gets Dumped On The Rn's Working With Them.

In Florida, we work with lots of LPNs. They have to complete an extra certification for IVs, but then they can take telephone orders and do IV pushes. As far as admission assessments, we have an RN who does most of our admission assessments, leaving very little for the covering RN to help the LPN with.

So maybe it depends on the hospital policy as well as the BON rules.

[Fiona59]

Originally Posted by HERNANDO-RN

I Certainly Hope So. In My Opinion, Lpn's Do Not Belong In The Acute Care Setting Due To Their Limited Scope Of Practice. There Are A Few Remaining Lpn's At My Hospital...and It Is A Burden Working With Them. They Cannot Take Telephone Orders, Do Admission Assessments Or Iv Pushes....that Gets Dumped On The Rn's Working With Them.

And I certainly hope never to work within a system like yours.

Scope of practice is defined by each licensing agency in each province or state.

I can guarantee if you were in my place of employment you would have to check the ID tag to find out our level of nursing. Either that or follow the nurse with TPN bag. Oh wait, the RN hangs the first bag, then the PN hangs any additional bags after two nurses of any licensure have checked the bag.