Are LPN's being phased out?

mousefeathers · Nov 9, 2011

In Houston's Texas Medical Center hospitals that is absolutely true. The standard now is BSN and keep on going for a masters,if you want to do anything besides total patient care at the bedside. There is no nursing shortage in this town.There definitely are almost no jobs for LVNS in Houston proper, except for some long term acute care transitional facilities, and nursing home positions.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 9, 2011

Been workin since the 80's. During times of too many nurses for the jobs available. I've seen LPN's pushed out of Hospital Nursing. Then the pendulum swings back...when there aren't enough nurses. I've also seen it happen to midwives and NP's when MD's were in short supply esp in rural areas. I hope LPN's are always part of any Hospital I work in. I owe them so much. When I was a new RN/BSN. I knew theory, they knew application. They didn't judge me just caught me up to where I should be in skills. They kept the unit running when I had no clue how to schedule, manage time, pass meds, do charge,
transfer a phone call...you name it. Today where I work, LPN's are unit managers. They work and work and then some. I can't see the Hospitals or Nursing Homes eliminating someone who works for less but can perform most of the same practical skills I do. (Some are saying but Critical Thinking!)
When you're around long enough, you know what the MD's usually do, order and
can anticipate goes a long, long way...and Critical thinking is not a skill reserved for higher education. I've seen CNA's with more sense than some MD's
ok hoppin off the soapbox now and going to get some rest...work tomorrow, with the awsome LPN's who kick butt where I work!

There will always be jobs for LVN/LPN's in settings where having an RN doesn't make sense. Private duty, nursing homes, clinics, assisted living, home health, hospice and a few other areas where LVN's rule and you hardly see a RN. We're still out there working, just maybe not in the acute hospital. But hey that ain't all that bad.

217shana · Nov 9, 2011

In my community at the local hospital they are not hiring any new LPN's except for in the skilled nursing unit. All the LPN's there are currently being allowed to stay and no one is requiriing or mandating them to return to RN school. We are one of a few hospitals that hire new RN graduates. When I do talk to some new graduates they tell me how hard it is to get hired at other facilities without any experience.

jimthorp · Nov 10, 2011

I wonder on what basis RN's or BSN's are deemed a more appropirate level of education to be nurses than LPN's?

I have been an LPN for "several" years and work with RN's, BSN's, and LPN's. I will tell you one thing for certain. There are LPN's that run circles around RN's and BSN's both clinically and ethically. I know RN's and BSN's that I would not let touch my dog and know LPN's that I would absolutely let be my or my loved one's primary nurse.

Almost daily I have RN's and BSN's more experienced than I ask me for direction and opinion.

It seems to me more about what appears more right on paper and less about real capabilities.

Such is the politically correct BS world we live in today.

Murse901, MSN, RN · Nov 10, 2011

I wonder on what basis RN's or BSN's are deemed a more appropirate level of education to be nurses than LPN's?

I say this as a former LPN, current ADN, and future BSN. More education is always a good thing, and there has been a continuing trend of rising the education bar in almost all healthcare fields.

Despite experience being a bigger factor than initial education, one should never scoff at the trend of requiring more education for entry into practice.

DogWmn · Nov 12, 2011

To the OP...the short answer...NOOOOOOOPE, the long one; it depends on what area of the country you are in. Are they being phased out of hospitals...same answer. There will always be a place for the LPN/LVN. FYI, please note above...I've been an LPN since dinos walked the earth graduated in '72 and been hearing the "phase out" BS for that long.

I'm currently working as a Patient Sitter (let my license lapse and it's too expensive for me to get a refresher in this state) in a regional hospital and lots of signs about Magnant status...blah blah blah...the funny thing is, there are adds for LPN's on the hospital job board, and they'd be very very hard pressed to replace some of them. In this state we have few restrictions and those are dictated by the facilities. The whole dialysis unit is staffed by LPN's, there is also an add for an LPN-Hyperbaric tec.

There will always be a need for us in health care, in acute care settings? Maybe not, but there are so many more areas that are just as fulfilling.

Guest717236 · Nov 12, 2011

I say this as a former LPN, current ADN, and future BSN. More education is always a good thing, and there has been a continuing trend of rising the education bar in almost all healthcare fields.
Despite experience being a bigger factor than initial education, one should never scoff at the trend of requiring more education for entry into practice.

Easy to say, but many RNs with experience, in the current economy have trouble financing more education to graduate and receive in our location not a dime more for a BSN.

From a personal growth and adding knowledge to better care for your patients, of course its a good thing.

vernon42 · Nov 12, 2011

I know people have been saying for years that everyone would need a BSN and LPN's would be a thing of the past, etc. Well, so far, where I work (a large, magnet hospital) there are still many, many nurses without a BSN -but there are veeery few LPN's. I attended a meeting last week where my supervisor was lecturing RNs about signing off on LPN's charts and she mentioned that there are very few LPN's and even mentioned that some of those LPN's are about to graduate to be RN's. I overheard other RNs in the cafeteria complaining about LPN's basically saying, "what's the point when we have to go behind them."
They are definitely being phased out where I work. They aren't hiring LPN's anymore although the ones who are there aren't getting fired or anything. What is it like where you work? Do you think LPN's have a future?

I'm hoping this is not true but so far it doesn't look good. I have not found a decent job yet and I've been an LVN for two years now. I'm almost getting used to the rejection letters and rejected applications! I'm hoping with the impending retirements of the baby boomers, which should be nearing soon; there will be a change. The current trend is for RNs to obtain their BSN in order to compete in the market, a lot of them have headed back to school in droves, what does that say about the LVN? I guess the ADN's will be doing our jobs. You need a masters degree now to be a nurse manager so all the managers with BSN are now in school for that. It's getting quite competitive!!

Glimpsethepast · Nov 18, 2011

WOW I have to put my two cents in on this subject of 'phasing out LPNs' Here in Ontario Canada we are called Registered Practical Nurses. Since I graduated from my program back in 1984 I have heard the same thing.....RPNs are being phased out. This continued up until about 5 or 6 years ago. NOW RPNs are being recruited constantly! I would imagine the main reason is because RPNs earn a great deal less than the BScN RN. Our program is only two full years where as the BScN is four full years. Here in Ontario RPNs work in acute care hospitals as 'floor nurses', in LTCs as 'charge nurses' and in every aspect of home nursing, not to mention psychiatric facilities, prisons, schools, and teaching the Personal Support Worker programs. It took many years but I feel that RPNs have finally come into their own. I am greatful I live and work in my province where we are respected for what we can do which is a great deal.

jimthorp · Nov 20, 2011

I say this as a former LPN, current ADN, and future BSN. More education is always a good thing, and there has been a continuing trend of rising the education bar in almost all healthcare fields.
Despite experience being a bigger factor than initial education, one should never scoff at the trend of requiring more education for entry into practice.

No question education is desireable however, it does not make nor determine who is and who is not a competent nurse. That is my point.

I assisted an RN the other day inserting a s/p Foley. The RN removed to old Foley then proceded to pull everything out of the insertion kit with her dirty gloves then used those same gloves to open the lube, swabs, and new Foley....never checked the balloon on the new Foley. The sterile gloves never came out of the package. Oh and BTW, this nurse has 15+ experience and is my ADON.

jimthorp · Nov 20, 2011

Easy to say, but many RNs with experience, in the current economy have trouble financing more education to graduate and receive in our location not a dime more for a BSN.

Some places want a BSN but like you said don't offer any more pay which goes to proove my point that it's about what looks good on paper and not about actual competency.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 20, 2011

Now the dirty gloves are unacceptable but I have heard from a urology that the trend should be towards NOT checking the ballon as it never completely deflates and the edges of the not completely deflated ballon can cause some irritation and tissue damage.

Of course I'm sure that not why your ADON didn't check and often you have to remember I'm "just an LVN" and thus one day away from being phased out.

Honestly I think the current trend of having all RN's in one setting and all LVNs in others might give us more of an identity or place. RN's shouldn't have to fear that we are going to replace them and we shouldn't feel the fear that they are going to replace us.