Are LPN's being Phased Out?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I have had other people tell me that going to school to become an lpn would be a waste of time because they are being phased out by CNAs. Is this true?

Actually, that is incorrect. The NYS BON has declared that LPNs in LTC cannot touch a PICC line, period. That means that we must have an RN on all shifts if we have anyone running an IV since we only rarely admit people with peripheral lines. Even in LTC, once the domain of LPNs, the BON is limiting their practice.

That said, we are still hiring LPNs, and a good thing, too, but your opportunities as an LPN are limited in NYS.

Good point. The BON can influence the job market by limiting or expanding a nurse's practice. Regardless though, it seems the trends in many hospitals in many states is to phase them out.

Unrelated question: It was my understanding that an RN was present on every shift in most LTC facilities. My understanding however is based on very limited experience. Am I wrong?

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Unrelated question: It was my understanding that an RN was present on every shift in most LTC facilities. My understanding however is based on very limited experience. Am I wrong?

Depends on the state. NY requires, I think, 8 hours a day, but NY does not permit LPNs to assess after a fall, etc, so it becomes moot. We try to staff for an RN on all shifts because otherwise the DON has to get up in the middle of the night to go in while the resident stays on the floor until she gets there. :rolleyes:

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Depends on the state. NY requires, I think, 8 hours a day, but NY does not permit LPNs to assess after a fall, etc, so it becomes moot. We try to staff for an RN on all shifts because otherwise the DON has to get up in the middle of the night to go in while the resident stays on the floor until she gets there. :rolleyes:

Seriously? You have to leave a resident on the floor until they can be assessed by an RN? Wow.

The results of politicking at its finest.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

It depends on the area and the field. Certain parts of midwest are still okay with LPNs and places like nursing homes are almost always okay with LPNs.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

Before phasing anyone out. We already know when the baby boomers retire RN and LPN we will be in a crutch for nurses. The government, state, and the local people know this is going to happen sooner or later. They need to prepare for this happening. We are living longer and most LPN work in LTC, assisted living, and rehab facilities. Some good nurses are LPN's. I dont know what else to say. Just things are going to get worst before getting better.

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Specializes in CNA.

I am gonna do the LPN to RN.

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I hope that LPN positions never fade out. Just graduated from LPN course last June and loving every minute of it, as long as I can tune out all of the politics that come with it. Thought about going for my RN but have too many pre reqs to take care of and can retire in seven years. I decided to use whatever it costs to get my RN and help my two grown kids finish nursing school and go as far in education as they can.

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Just think there are millions of LVN... Government will think 100 times ,before they phase out...

Actually there are about 700,000 LPNs, whereas there are approximately 2.6 million RNs.

(If wikipedia is to be believed.....)

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

One, wiki is never to be even looked at, it's a BS site that could be written by me and is not a legit source of anything.

Two, we have two incredible LPN's in our ICU who are a units backbone. I shudder to think that any manager would consider the letters behind their name less worthy than my RN, they have nurtures many of our new RN's and I would fight tooth and nail, to the 'enth degree to keep them. So management... don't even think of it:mad:

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One, wiki is never to be even looked at, it's a BS site that could be written by me and is not a legit source of anything.

Two, we have two incredible LPN's in our ICU who are a units backbone. I shudder to think that any manager would consider the letters behind their name less worthy than my RN, they have nurtures many of our new RN's and I would fight tooth and nail, to the 'enth degree to keep them. So management... don't even think of it:mad:

Actually Wiki got it about right.

I don't think there are anything wrong with LPNs. I work with them in my unit. My hospital is phasing them out though. With the influx of RNs that are flooding the market who are desperate and can be hired cheap, why would a hospital hire an LPN over an RN?

Again, I'm not saying anything negative about LPNs, it's a legitimate question anyone who's thinking about entering the nursing field should ask.

I can't imagine that a ADN takes much longer than a LPN program. Yeah?

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Just think there are millions of LVN... Government will think 100 times ,before they phase out...

I'm not saying that I think LPNs will ever be totally phased out, but I wouldn't be putting my faith in the government to make it happen.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
I know employment opportunities are different all across the country; however IMHO just go straight for the RN. I am a LPN and wish someone would have told me to go straight for the RN. The academic advisors made it sound so simple...do the LPN, get a job, go straight into the RN program, work part time while doing RN, and everything will be rainbows and candy canes, HA! Not exactly...but I only have one 8 week class left, psych nursing, this fall semester. WOOT! :D. Best wishes, whatever you decide. If you need someone to talk to message me.

I agree whole heartedly with your point I too went straight to RN school I was going to go for my ADN but I found some 2yr RN's were in some of my classes and I would ask why are you taking this class and each one informed me that they wanted their BSN. Right then I made my decision to go get my BSN. That was back in the mid 90's and now I see since this job market is like it is most are requesting BSN preferred and often the BSN will get the job over the 2yr degree RN. It is difficult to work and go to school full-time. If I was you I would try and get into a RN school and 4yr Rn if possible, it would be much easier to go from RN to BSN., God Bless. Above all pray and God what you should do!!

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