LPNs still in demand?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Oct 11, 2016

It really depends on what area of nursing you plan to pursue in your geographical location. If you plan to work in a hospital, more than likely, you'll need a BSN to go along with an RN license.

Here at my hospital, we still employ LPNs, ASN, and BSN RNs. But I'm in Georgia, and this may be specific to this small part of Georgia...not statewide.

If I were you, I'd call a few human resources departments at employers-of-interest (long term care, home health, and hospitals...just to name a few) in my area to ask them directly.

Archerlpvn, LPN, LVN · Oct 12, 2016

In most areas geographically and general fields of nursing, LPNs are still employed and sought after. Home health both intermittent visits and private duty, corrections, long term care, clinics, the VA, psych, are some avenues of nursing that generally employ LPNs :) a lot of hospital systems here in OR at least, still employ LPNs in their urgent care systems and outpatient/specialty clinics.

luvmyc · Oct 13, 2016

No, that rumor seems like it's been around for a long time...but I think it's inaccurate. I've done home health for adults and peds, public health, LTC and I now work for the federal government (IHS) in a clinic and hospital setting. There is a lot that LPN's are able to do.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Oct 15, 2016

The Good News: No, LPNs are not being phased out. And, yes, we are in high demand. The Buereau of Labor and Statistics lists the growth rate for LPNs as being equal (16%) to the growth rate for RNs.

The Bad News: The areas hiring that *are* LPNs are in areas traditionally considered less desirable to nursing at large. Most nursing students seem to want to work in acute care, a field which *has* been phasing out LPNs in most states for decades. As a LPN, your high growth fields will be LTC, clinics, rehab, corrections, home care.... stuff like that.

MLPN · Oct 18, 2016

Hi. I know I'm commenting a little late. I am an lpn and have been working for 5 years. I am very busy working in pediatric client's homes with a great agency. I love it! I also work in a snf. It's very challenging, I also love it! I just wanted to wish you the very best in nursing school:D Welcome to the world of nursing!

Buyer beware, BSN · Oct 18, 2016

LPNs will always be exploited in the areas of health care that allow this job class to function.

It has more to do with the influence and power of economics, politicians and the hospital corporations of America who have historically reserved for themselves the ultimate say in this matter and set the agenda.

Nursing leadership, at any level, has always been too financially, politically and morally weak to have any say in matters of employment or even uniform educational standards.

The hospital industry in general and big money concerns in particular will only require the vaunted BSN if there is a financial incentive to do so (magnet hospitals).

In spite of the fact that CMS is nominally leading that charge, it has nothing to do with corporate America's actually knowing, caring or promoting the upgrade of nursing education overall as it relates to patient quality of care. To them, labor is labor.

But, and I'm reluctant to say this, after all isn't a quality of care upgrade what we all want as providers and patients whether delivered by LPNs, ADs, BSNs or whomever.

Or is that a separate issue?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2016

In most parts of the U.S., LPNs are in demand outside the acute care hospital.

This includes nursing homes, physical rehabilitation, addictions, clinics, doctors offices, prison infirmaries, jail intake areas, home health, private duty, hospice, psychiatric facilities, group homes, adult daycare, assisted living, and so forth.

historylovinglpn · Oct 19, 2016

I work at a psych facility currently and there is definately a demand for LPNs in this setting. In my facility there is such a demand, we are short 3 LPNS. If it was hard to find practical nurse jobs(at least in Chicago) I am sure those slots would be filled. Obviously there are other choices besides my facility. I've worked home health care, ambulatory clinic, school setting, drug rehab clinics, and nursing homes. So yes, definately in demand where I am at.

elikat02, ADN, LPN · Oct 20, 2016

Around my area, LPN's seem to be a dying breed. We are no longer allowed to work in the hospitals and the doctors offices are shying away from LPNs now as they are hiring more CMA's and MOA's. It's a pity that they took LPN's out of the hospitals - all you see here is RN's and CNA's. The two reasons why I chose to be an LPN is because of the direct patient care and also, by the time I would have gotten my RN and BSN, I would have been in my late 50's. I just wanted to work in a clinic or office (as promised by the college I went to) but that turned out to be a bust. I loved nursing school and looked forward to a nursing career, but it has been an uphill struggle finding work. A piece of advice I would give younger students who are considering becoming an LPN, go for it for the experience, but continue on up the ladder as far as you can go - you won't regret it.

DogWmn · Oct 20, 2016

Yes there are still plenty of LPN jobs ~ I've been hearing the "phased out" since 1972 when I graduated ~ it's BS

Irish76 · Oct 20, 2016

I live in Southern Oregon and there is plenty of demand for LPN's. The hospitals here do not hire LPN's at the moment. That being said there are currently numerous LTC's, skilled rehabilitation facilities, and clinics with open positions. There are also positions open at a correctional facility, a new medical detox facility and an urgent care clinic that is opening. I had multiple job offers before I graduated.