Is there really a future for new LPN's??

[Sharls237]

I have been reading a lot of articles and they say it's a good future for new LPN's. but then I have conversations with people and the say lot of places are not hiring LPN's anymore. I'm very confused on which career path to take. Any Advice??

[CNLLVN]

Hire lol

[Crystalish1]

I live in San Antonio and work at a hospital as a LVN. My hospital is NO longer hiring new LVN'S only RN's but other hospitals such as University Hospital still are currently hiring LVN's. we also are in demand for home health nursing ( I have a weekend job with pediatric home health) and most of my friends have good paying jobs at nursing homes. Of course there is more money as a RN but there are still opportunities for LVN'S.

[ebinbrooklyn]

My mom is an LPN in Texas w/ 18 years of experience and is constantly getting job offers - she just became the ADON for a LTC facility! She's done lots of LTC, worked in cardio cath (which she hated) and recently had a job with the state. It takes a while but you can work your way up.

[Susan Perkins]

I have less than a year left until I graduate with my LPN diploma, and I signed up for indeed.com already, just to test the job field. I have daily e-mail alerts for LPN jobs. I have job alerts from my local Hospitals, Nursing homes and Dr. offices. They have been saying for years that LPN's are going to fade away!! Thankfully, here in GA, they are NOT! :)

[Nurse ABC]

In Oh and WV they are phasing LPN's out of the hospitals and already have in some areas. There are a lot of positions in dr's offices and LTC for LPN's. Not quite sure the reasoning as it won't save them money. The LPN's are being required to get their RN, find another job, or work and get paid an aide's salary. I don't think it's fair but it's not up to me!

[EsthyLady]

IMO, LPNs surely have a future. There is a seriously top-heavy aging population. Soon Depends purchases will out-number infant diapers. That being the case, I think there will always be place for LTPs in LTC, HHC, Hospice, Rehab and the like. I agree with the posters who pointed out that LPNs are not as likely to find jobs in hospitals anymore. But that's not everywhere, and certainly not in one the fastest growing area of healthcare: geriatric long-term care. The only caveat I see is that if RNs will work for the same pay as LPNs, which is not impossible given the dire economy.

[Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN]

I love it when posters make sweeping statements remain on line when requested to provide details, and then never respond![/quote']

I havent responded yet because I am busy and do have a life :)

Anyway, a few people that I know of personally moved from NC because they could only work at dr offices. A lot of LPNs were let go from ltc and nursing homes and have more RN's, cnas and med techs. There was another state that phased the LPNs out of ltc and nursing homes and have med techs and Rns. I was basically saying that in some states, they were phasing lpns out even in ltc and can only do hhc and work in dr offices.

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

There was another state that phased the LPNs out of ltc and nursing homes and have med techs and Rns. I was basically saying that in some states, they were phasing lpns out even in ltc and can only do hhc and work in dr offices.

And what would that state be?

Since you said "another state phased the LPNs out of LTC" are you saying that the compliment to the "another" is North Carolina and that all of North Carolina phased out the LPN from the aforementioned settings? Or do you mean to say just in your immediate area?

[JUSTanLPN]

There will always be jobs for lpns, especially in nursing homes, rural hospitals etc

[Stranded55]

You are certainly in a better position as a licensed person to get a decent job. Although the opportunities for LVNs seem to be decreasing, they are still out there. Just in fewer specialty areas. I think in California at least, LVNs in the big hospitals will soon be a thing of the past, but in home care, jails, nursing homes, LVNs are being hired.

[BrooklynJulie]

FWIW - I volunteer on a Mother/Baby floor and one of the RNs was telling me that she thinks this particular hospital is going to be using LESS RNs in Mother/Baby and hiring more LVNs. This hospital is in NYC.

[MrsLPN83]

I havent responded yet because I am busy and do have a life :)

Anyway, a few people that I know of personally moved from NC because they could only work at dr offices. A lot of LPNs were let go from ltc and nursing homes and have more RN's, cnas and med techs. There was another state that phased the LPNs out of ltc and nursing homes and have med techs and Rns. I was basically saying that in some states, they were phasing lpns out even in ltc and can only do hhc and work in dr offices.

Not sure about the NC statement because I live in NC and work as a full time LPN in LTC. I have personally never had an issue with getting job offers here. I even just started back working from maternity leave, and had 5 places call about employment. I believe there will always be a need for LPN's because fact is we are nurses! Also in NC our scope of practice allows us to do a lot, it's the facilities that limit us sometimes. Luckily I work for a company that allows us to work fully within our scope.