LVNs/LPNs being phased out?!

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Is anyone else tired of hearing about this as I am? I am so tired of someone saying, "why are you going to LVN school, when they are phasing them out?"

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

This is not exactly correct....Many LVN's learn about IV's in school. In mine back in the day I had a whole 12 weeks course built into my course. Of course LVN's assess...you cant take care of patients and be responsible for their care if you cant assess them or their health status. Initial, assessments must be completed by the RN then the LVN can carry on with limited assessments. This is all clearly defined in the Texas BON practice guidelines. I spent 10 years as a LVN and learned 90% of what I know as a RN from my days of being a LVN. I am a strong advocate for the LVN practice and education. LVN/PN's will never be able to be phased out...first it is just not practical... who will take care of the elderly in nursing homes, home health and assisted living centers.... There is just not enough RN's to go around. If you want to be a LVN...then go to school without worries. There are plenty of opportunities for you......

I can understand that's for sure. In the state of Texas LVNs do not learn anything about iv's in school. Now you can become iv certified taking a course. But I know for a fact transfusion big no no. But are you saying that LVNs shouldn't even give injections too? I am a MA going back to school for lvn. LVNs scope of work is different in each state. Here we do not assess, that is the RN and we do not do NANDA only the RN, but we do learn about it in class. LVNs are just as important as an RN.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I spent 10 years as a LVN and learned 90% of what I know as a RN from my days of being a LVN. I am a strong advocate for the LVN practice and education. LVN/PN's will never be able to be phased out...first it is just not practical... who will take care of the elderly in nursing homes, home health and assisted living centers.... There is just not enough RN's to go around. If you want to be a LVN...then go to school without worries. There are plenty of opportunities for you......

THIS...

Unless one has been an LPN/LVN prior to an RN; one should not quote WHAT LPNs know... JMHO.

LPNs assess, although, depending on the state, we "data collect"; basically a way to state we assess; we cannot do initial assessments; but me must assess in order to carry out interventions. We learn and make care plans in school in order to think like a nurse.

IMHO, the difference in the roles was learning more in depth about management and delegation; even though LPNs can delegate to CNAs and can be charge nurses and supervisors in certain capacities; a deeper assessment practice, as well as the expanded scope of practice as a RN. I still knew fundamentals, Maternity, expanded my nursing assessment and management; knew Peds, just more exposure clinically, knew Mental Health; Public Health and research were the two new areas. I also want to add that I still learned a tremendous amount during school. :yes:

I survived nursing and nursing school because of my LPN background; LPNs are a valuable asset to the nursing team; and they are not going anywhere.

This is not exactly correct....Many LVN's learn about IV's in school. In mine back in the day I had a whole 12 weeks course built into my course. Of course LVN's assess...you cant take care of patients and be responsible for their care if you cant assess them or their health status. Initial, assessments must be completed by the RN then the LVN can carry on with limited assessments. This is all clearly defined in the Texas BON practice guidelines. I spent 10 years as a LVN and learned 90% of what I know as a RN from my days of being a LVN. I am a strong advocate for the LVN practice and education. LVN/PN's will never be able to be phased out...first it is just not practical... who will take care of the elderly in nursing homes, home health and assisted living centers.... There is just not enough RN's to go around. If you want to be a LVN...then go to school without worries. There are plenty of opportunities for you......

Thank you TXspadequeenRN!

i live in FL and am about to complete my LPN program and take the NCLEX-PN. LPN in FL are becoming more respected each day and are actually starting to replace RN's in some facilities. I'm sure this is r/t the fact that an LPN with Phlem/IV therapy has a scope very simulare to that of an RN, with a slightly smaller salary.

Not sure where you are but in Central florida that is NOT the case. Many LPN programs cannot even do clinical rotations in the hospital anymore. The rationale is that we won't hire you to work here when you graduate so why allow you to rotate here ? Some LPN's do have good jobs in my area but the trend is to keep them around and replace them with RN's when they quit/retire. You never saw a LTC facility staffed with 75% RN's 10 years ago but that is a trend in my area now. The DON says that she wants an all RN staff because "there are so many RN's available and the public likes the way it sounds" There is also a misconception that LPN's go back to school because they want to. I went back because I could see where things were going. BSN only hospitals, RN's working in LTC, and private programs opening every week and flooding the market with RN's willing to work for $18/hr. It is unfair and sucky but be honest with yourself about your goals and local market. I loved being an LPN but it was getting less desirable by the year.

I live in Central Florida and have been an LPN for 26 years. Yes since I became an LPN I have heard they were going to phase us out. I didn't worry about and it never came to pass, till now. I have always loved being an LPN and never planned on going back to school. I start an ADN program in January. I am going for my RN not because I want to, but because I see the writing on the wall.

I believe the big difference this time was the Recession that happened. A lot of nurses that I know lost their jobs. A couple weeks ago or Health department laid of 16 nurses on top of eliminating 15 other open positions. The hospitals in this area are only hiring RN's or BSN's. Why hire an LPN for what they can pay a new grad RN. That's the mind set around here.

All my nurse friends are also going back for their RN's too.

Presumably "Phlem/IV therapy" is actually "Phleb/IV therapy" as in phlebotomy. But even MAs are taught phlebotomy skills, so that's not a major distinction.

This is a long running thing. Honestly, don't even worry about it. They're not being phased out. Regardless, in my area LPN is more of a stepping stone to RN and everyone (mostly) knows that.

Honestly, i didnt like being an LPN anymore. I.know it sounds sad and discouraging but i really wanted to increase my education especially with me working in LTC and admitting patients high on the acuity scale. I wanted the knowledge.

I am starting my lpn-rn program Jan 2014 and I can not wait. After failing 1 teas test for one school, getting turned down by another and getting put on a waiting list, Ive decided to do the lpn route. I am excited and happy about being an lpn because I am still a nurse, however, rns have way more opportunities and get paid way more where live.

I am currently in the same boat! I have been a LPN for 12yrs, working for the last 5yrs in Pediatric private duty. I, too cannot get the infusion certification without becoming an RN. I also am very limited in my skill set. I started out 12yrs ago in a small hospital in Labor & Delivery/Newborn Nursery ... Try finding a job as a LPN doing that now ... hahahaha ...

I completed ALL my RN core in one year (I DO NOT suggest trying this) I had to take either the SAT or ACT, (I graduated HS in 1990) and compete for admission into the LPN - RN Bridge program. It was very stressful, took a lot of time away from children. I did get in only to attend for 8 days. I was in a near fatal car accident, broke my back... several other injuries and had to withdraw.

So here I am now, fully recovered & applying to the bridge again only to find out now I have to take the HESI test ... REALLY??? I took a sample NCLEX-RN and passed it, I think this is ridiculous. I am starting to wonder if it is even worth it. I love my job I make just as much as a new RN grad but I am limited as you said because I do not have RN behind my name ... so frustrating!!

I am really getting discouraged

They are being phased out a lot of places. In AZ, they're not even hired in hospitals anymore. I heard that in some of the hospitals, the former LPNs were given a certain amount of time (I think 2 yrs) to get their RN degree. Some LPNs are now working as CNAs in their hospitals. I also heard that many hospitals here aren't even hiring Associate degree RNs. They wants RNs with their BSNs. So, essentially, many LPNs are being phased out. But, there are places that do employ LPNs. I know some LPNs that are very happy in their careers. They work in home heath, nursing homes, and even as case managers with insurance companies. So, there is hope!

I have heard this rumor for a long time. I know the state where I grew up there isn't a lot of LPN jobs. But where I live now there are many jobs, not many hospital jobs but doc offices, schools, jail, home health, LTC, ect. There is even a huge hospital...well known nation wide about an hour away laid off RNs but sent our teachers an email asking for LPNs. In our area last year's class also started out with much higher pay than any other class. They all also had jobs waiting for them before they even got their license. I am older starting a new career since my daughter started college..decided it was time for me to finish school...I was in college years ago but not for nursing. I have thought about bridging over after I am done with LPN school but who knows...I might decide i really like being an LPN. So I think you have to decide what is right for your area and yourself not what the rumors say.

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