Are LPN's being phased out?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

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?

Specializes in FNP.

I honestly don't know if they have a future. Here, no, there are no jobs for LPNs. There might be one in a Drs office, but they seem to be moving to MAs. The nursing homes used to be a stronghold, but not I'm told they have fewer LPNS and more med techs and CNAs. One LPN to do treatments and one RN to do charts and whatever no one else can do.

I wouldn't advise a young person to look for a career as a LPN, but it isn't a bad stepping stone toward a professional degree. One of my favorite surgeons was an LPN for years before going to medical school!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Just because something hasn't happened, doesn't mean it won't. With the ever expanding group of unemployed or underemployed RNs on the bread line you can expect the last bastions of LPNs you mentioned to be employing RNs. I work in one of the aforementioned places as a new grad BSN...one of the hiring managers told me point blank "why hire an LPN when I can hire an RN"

Maybe because they can pay them less?

Not sure where you work JSlovex, but I have never heard RNs as a group be so disrespectful to LPNs. If they have to "babysit" them it is very likely related to the culture of the facility and/or the limited scope of practice some states have for LPNs. I'm sure it will end up being in the best interest of all concerned when there are no more LPNs at your facility.

My answer (at least as far as my area) just a few months ago would have been that anyone who wants to work in an acute care hospital now should go for their RN right away and for their BSN if possible. When I started at a pediatric hospital nobody "went behind me" and I worked in every unit there at least once. The legal scope of practice hasn't changed, but other factors have, resulting in the trend to all RN staffing in acute care hospitals.

One could argue that a financial crunch and an increasing elderly population would lead to an increase in LPN jobs as they are most often hired in LTCs and private duty under waiver programs, including in charge nurse positions.

Just lately though, I've noticed that not at any other time since I was licensed in 1976 has there been so much uncertainty in the nursing job market. There is an overabundance of job seekers, a state of flux in job opportunities, statutory changes coming down the line, and the corrosive effects of the recession in my state. I can honestly say I have no predictions to make but that while LPNs are not being phased out the areas hiring most is still uncertain at this point.

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Specializes in FNP.

I only skimmed, but however inconveniently and pejoratively worded the babysitting comment is, I get the point. Speaking only for myself, due to the limitations imposed by the facilities I worked in, I prefer not to work with LPNs. I have not in many years now, but historically, having to go behind and chart for them was such a PITA I'd rather just do it all myself. CNAs can do their thing and chart same. The LPNS could do it, but then I'd have to sign that I agreed. How can I agree if I don't repeat the assessment? All they could really do for me is CNA duties and pass PO meds. That wasn't very helpful.

That is not a reflection on the individuals, their innate intelligence or skill, but rather identification of a systems problem. I'd rather not have to deal with consequences of said systems problem. I suspect that that is what was meant by the babysitting comment, however indelicately it was put.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
this is exactly the attitude i've seen lately. with RNs working short staffed, they are tired of "babysitting" the LPN's so to speak. at one time, there were enough RNs on the floor that it wasn't such a big deal for them to "cover" the LPNs, but now - they're lucky to get their "own job" finished without having to go behind a LPN. i've even seen brand new grads be charge nurses over LPNs who have years of experience. it just makes no logical or financial sense.

HMMM. Problems with LPNs??? There are very few things that an RN does that and LPn can't do. My BON says as an LPN I can't push IV meds, hang blood, insert a PICC line. I can do everything else. (A change about 4 yrs ago now allows us to pronounce death) I have been very well trained, I am an adult, I don't need to be babysat. So I can only hope you were being sarcastic when you wrote that (please tell me you were!) LPN's are and can be a very valuable asset to any work force.

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

Well, the things is from many articles I've read and things that I've seen hospitals do...it seems like they're trying to not hire more LPNs into the acute care setting. LPNs will always dominate LTC, offices, and clinics b/c it's better financially for the company. Most of the LPNs I know are really good nurses. At my old hospital, we had a couple of LPNs on my floor...almost all of them going for their RN though...and we did have to cover them...but it was like one patient though. I do understand the frustration of many RNs when they have to go do something for the LPNs patient when they're already busy...particularly on dayshift.. .which is crazy. Personally, by the time the LPN would find me to do something for her patient...I had already done it...of course, after I had already taken care of my patients. Plus, many RNs aren't interested in anything besides hospital nursing. It seems that with all of the cutbacks, many new RNs won't be able to get the golden hospital experience, but instead will have to look in home health, LTC, and community nursing...an area in which the LPNs already dominate. And I don't believe that they'll ever make it mandatory for a nurse to have a BSN to be a RN...they haven't even supposedly phased out the LPNs yet. Best of luck to all nurses....RN and LPN alike.

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Specializes in LTC.
I only skimmed, but however inconveniently and pejoratively worded the babysitting comment is, I get the point. Speaking only for myself, due to the limitations imposed by the facilities I worked in, I prefer not to work with LPNs. I have not in many years now, but historically, having to go behind and chart for them was such a PITA I'd rather just do it all myself. CNAs can do their thing and chart same. The LPNS could do it, but then I'd have to sign that I agreed. How can I agree if I don't repeat the assessment? All they could really do for me is CNA duties and pass PO meds. That wasn't very helpful.

That is not a reflection on the individuals, their innate intelligence or skill, but rather identification of a systems problem. I'd rather not have to deal with consequences of said systems problem. I suspect that that is what was meant by the babysitting comment, however indelicately it was put.

Really ????

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Just depends on where you work. In this side of Bama we rarely hire LPN's in the hospital setting, unless they have been there some years. However, just across the street in GA, LPN's are always being hired, even in the ED, L&D, and ICU.

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Specializes in Trauma/Critical Care.
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 live in Orange County, California and in my ten years career span, I had worked in many facilities around the area (either as registry or a traveler). I had only been in one hospital in this area that uses LPNs in the acute setting. In this area, most facilities are either Magnet or in the process of applying for it, plus primary nursing is mainly used around this area... these may be contributing factors for the lack of LPNs around this area. To answer your question, no...my facility does not employ LPNs.

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Specializes in FNP.
Really ????

Really really.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

Not in Canada. There are hundreds of LPNs who work in acute care in my own mid sized hospital. And every hospital. There is constantly new training (paid by the employer!!) and new areas of specialty being opened up to us.

I personally know 4 LPNs who just completed the OR course and are now certified as OR nurses. Another 3 who just completed hemodialysis training and will be working as hemo nurses. All LPNs. All employer paid training and paid practicums.

We just got another email this past week to invite us to apply for paid training in mental health, emergency room, perinatal and nephrology specialties.

The future is bright for us! :cool:

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Hello everyone. Im one of those LPN's with years of experience. Once wanted to be a nurse anesthesist. After children and so many setbacks Im happy if Im able to obtain an associate in nursing. I do plan on futhering my education now that my children are grown. After an associate in nursing I will be studying business though. Ive had the opportunity to make a good living and learning experiences that a lot of RNs dont even have a clue. A lot of overtime. Not challenging a education, but every one has some worth in this profession. The pressure evolving around who's the most educated to a man is unbeleivable. As a LPN having a kid (some new grads and some not) checking behind me to be nasty is a insult. Again some dont even have a clue. But because of a formal education and the title of RN its acceptable. Ive had jobs, serious and very good jobs for any career. Where the RNs would be disgruntle and take it out on the LPN. Why let non RNs perform RN jobs. Number one reason is its cheaper. Number two somebody has to do it. Not challenging a education, nothing more greater. LPNs take a lot of cheap shots, and again from what I seen every one is of value in this profession. If working within their scope or not. As with any production line and a demand for output is requested. Some instead of addressing the problem tend to lean on the weaker. If one could only walk in another shoe's and imagine the pressure surrounding being a good LPN and working so called RN positions. I dont think LPNs are being phased out. I also think there would be more LPN going for their RN. Well in my case, job security is important and from a wholistic veiw. Dont know actually how it came to this, but I do have some idea. With all do respect and never challenging an education, it is a production line and someone has to do it. So dont be upset when ask to do your job. You are educated in the field and the RNs. Just remember with all production lines their is a demand for produtivity. I never complain, I really

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Every one is of value.

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