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?"

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Here's a good article by TheCommuter.

The 6th paragraph should answer your question.

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Thanks Jay. I know that they are in some states, Texas where they do not work in hospitals much anymore. But honestly I really think they never will. I just get annoyed because you always here it here. Just go RN is what I am always told. Well I am happy as of right now going to school for LVN. In AR they work in hospitals and all that I have seen them do is give medications and change meds on the IV's.

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I thought seriously about attending LPN school and had even found one I wanted to attend. You may not have as many job opportunities as there once were, or you may have to move for a job. If you're excited about it do it and don't look back!

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Specializes in clinical.

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.

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Specializes in LTC.

The other day I had an acquaintance say to me "good luck with that" in a snide snotty tone after I replied that I was not worried about finding a job as a LPN. This was in response to her "LPNs are being phased out and can't work at hospitals", you know the usual spiel many of us have heard numerous times. I always wonder when someone is saying all this to me, knowing I am already in a LPN program, what do they expect? That I will be ever so grateful to them for pointing out my terrible mistake and quit the program because OMG LPNs are being phased out? That I'll accept their doom and gloom because they are some sort of expert? Please.

Thing is, I am not worried about finding a job as a LPN. Many places in my area are hiring LPNs. Of course if working at a hospital ICU was my dream then clearly the LPN won't help with that in my area. However, there are other jobs to be had as a LPN. I may return to school to get my RN/BSN, but even if I don't, being a LPN is a worthy accomplishment.

If being an LPN is what you want, then go for it and let the nay sayers wag their tongues till they turn blue and you have your license in your hands.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I enjoyed my options as a LPN for the seven years I worked as one: Home health Peds, facility Peds, Rehab, LTC, Medicare Chart reviews, psych, School nurse (private duty and "clinic") Specialty clinic nursing, vaccination clinic, and Independent Contract work doing skilled visits.

The ONLY reason I went back to school and became an RN is to be specialized; I couldn't get a certification in Peds or Rehab or Trauma or Critical care...the more I researched the skill set I had and couldn't get a certification in, I knew I had to go back to school...even clinic nursing has an association, but I couldn't get a certification in that. A IV therapy certification, rather infusion nursing is specialized , and you have to be a RN to become certified; most IV therapy "certs" are "competency training". I had enough contact hours worked to become "wound certified", yet a CWOCN is the ultimate certification expertise, and is a Masters program. Although I had flexibility, I wanted MORE flexibility, so I got my BSN; much sacrifice, but worth it. :yes:

LPNs are not going anywhere; in my area, there is a shift towards nurse-run clinics, utilizing LPNs and RNs; on the other hand, my former job just laid off all the LPNs unfortunately :down:.

It really depends on the area; and factors such as financial climate and how the organizations want to utilize LPNs. the only people that know what's going on in the LPN market are LPNs; sometimes your RN coworkers don't know either; unless they were LPNs, LOL.

If one wants to take the LPN route, I still encourage people to do so...if one is going for a graduate degree and has all their pre req's I'm inclined to encourage BSN, if they can. It truly is up to the person's circumstances, and opportunities. :yes:

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Where I live (Tennessee) LPNs work in ltc, assisted living, state and residential group homes, home health, private duty, jails, the va, drs offices, shot clinics, rehab facilities, insurance companies, some factories as the employees personal nurse and even hospitals although the hospital jobs have gotten fewer over the years. I saw 2 LPN positions at hospitals in my local paper just a few weeks ago. Of all the places I've worked it's always been at least like 90% staffed by LPNs. My job right now usually only hires LPNs, we have had a few RNs in the past but, the job was listed as an LPN job and they just took a chance and applied for it. I had a friend who went LPN to BSN a few years ago and said the never had a hard time finding a job as an LPN (she was always a job hopper, do she worked at a lot of places) but, couldn't find one when she got her BSN. She didn't want to work in a hospital so, she went back to the job at a clinic she was working at as an LPN before she got her BSN. I guess it really all depends on where you live but, personally I don't see us going anywhere. If we were phased out pretty much 90% of healthcare facilities would be SOL...

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Eh, some people will be generally annoying about the subject. My parents seem to think it will be easy, but they forget it's still nursing school. Just one year of it. I chose my program in particular for the option to go back for the other year to get my RN. Getting a job doesn't seem particularly difficult in my area. I have an offer to work in a nursing home once I get licensed.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

We were told that LPNs were going to be phased out when I was in an LPN program in 1984. I graduated and worked as an LPN for 24 years with that threat hanging over my head, (obviously, I wasn't too worried about it), before returning to school for my ASN in 2009. Even then, I returned for economic reasons. Once I received my RN license in 2010, I began casually pursuing the BSN because the company did a system-wide, multi-hospital survey of the number of LPNs as well as the number of RNs that held Bachelor degrees in its system. Before, I was met with: you're just an LPN, we want RNs. Now, it's: you're just an ASN-RN, we're looking for BSN-RNs.

For those of you who think there is even the slightest possibility that you will return to school, may I kindly suggest that you start the process as soon as you can while it is still on your own terms? At my current hospital, we employ LPNs and ASN-RNs. But, as LadyFree said, my past employer gave their LPNs an ultimatum of 4 years to complete the ASN. Four years is not a long time when you are knee-deep in responsibilities that requires you to work fulltime at the time that the mandate was handed down. I know of two nurses now who were doing well with working fulltime and attending classes but are forced to seek employment elsewhere because, due to the competitiveness of the nursing program and the fact that they didn't make the selection, they won't be licensed as RNs by the deadline....unless they manage to hit an online program hard and fast. And don't think the issues only lie with traditional programs. I wasn't even allowed to apply for the LPN-RN bridge program even though that college had invited me to apply to their honors program.

same goes with BSNs. My hospital has not required it yet but I'm not planning on staying here too much longer because of the commute. Education at an advanced age is doable but can be difficult with all the added responsibilities of family, etc. And I don't want to stumble across the perfectly located job for me, only to find out that my being a more-than-experienced nurse is not enough simply because I don't have the right initials behind my name.

Good luck with your educational paths, guys!:yes:

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Specializes in LTC, HH, and Case Mangement.

I have been an LPN for a little over 4 years. I did go to school for RN, but I failed about halfway through and had a baby, so I haven't gone back. I don't know if I will. I am very happy with my career. I am in Dayton, Oh and didn't have any problems getting a job. I have a degree in medical assisting so I think that helped. I work in a LTC facility part-time and just started working for a home health agency. They are always calling me with work and I love the pay. I already have 6 regular pts. If the time is right, I will go back to school, but for now I am content with being an LPN and won't let others tell me otherwise ;)

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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.

Never confuse "tasks that one can do" with "scope." There's a reason for that salary difference accounted for by real differences in responsibility and accountability.

Excerpts from the FL Nurse Practice Act:

(3)(a) "Practice of professional nursing" means the performance of those acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skill based upon applied principles of psychological, biological, physical, and social sciences which shall include, but not be limited to:

1. The observation, assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation of care; health teaching and counseling of the ill, injured, or infirm; and the promotion of wellness, maintenance of health, and prevention of illness of others.

2. The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed or authorized by a duly licensed practitioner authorized by the laws of this state to prescribe such medications and treatments.

3. The supervision and teaching of other personnel in the theory and performance of any of the above acts. (b) "Practice of practical nursing" means the performance of selected acts, including the administration of treatments and medications, in the care of the ill, injured, or infirm and the promotion of wellness, maintenance of health, and prevention of illness of others under the direction of a registered nurse, a licensed physician, a licensed osteopathic physician, a licensed podiatric physician, or a licensed dentist.

The professional nurse and the practical nurse shall be responsible and accountable for making decisions that are based upon the individual's educational preparation and experience in nursing.

464.015 Titles and abbreviations; restrictions; penalty.--

(1) Only persons who hold licenses to practice professional nursing in this state or who are performing nursing services pursuant to the exception set forth in s. 464.022(8) shall have the right to use the title "Registered Nurse" and the abbreviation "R.N."

(2) Only persons who hold licenses to practice as licensed practical nurses in this state or who are performing practical nursing services pursuant to the exception set fort

64B9-12.001 Statement of Intent and Purpose.

(1) The "practice of practical nursing" as defined by Section 464.003(3)(b), Florida Statutes, includes the "administration

of treatments and medication," under direction, and holds the licensed practical nurse "responsible and accountable for

making decisions . . . based upon the individual's educational preparation and experience in nursing." As medical

science advances and the demands for health care in Florida grow, the scope of nursing practice, in general, and of the

practice of practical nursing, in particular, is expanding. It has become necessary that the licensed practical nurse, when

qualified by training and education and when approved by the institution at which the licensed practical nurse is

employed, engage in the limited administration of intravenous therapy both to serve the public and to allow the

professional nurse to better perform those acts requiring professional nursing specialized knowledge, judgment and skill.

(2) The purpose of this rule is to protect the public by ensuring the availability of intravenous therapy and its competent

administration in the care of the ill, injured or the infirm. In keeping with the purpose, this rule authorizes the qualified

licensed practical nurse to administer those aspects of intravenous therapy within the scope of practice of the licensed

practical nurse, enumerates those aspects of intravenous therapy outside the scope of practice of the licensed practical

nurse, and sets out the educational and/or competency verification necessary to administer, under direction, limited

forms of intravenous therapy.

Specific Authority 464.006 FS. Law Implemented 464.003(3)(b) FS. History-New 1-16-91, Formerly 21O-21.001, 61F7-

12.001, 59S-12.001.

64B9-12.002 Definitions.

(1) "Administration of Intravenous Therapy" is the therapeutic infusion and/or injection of substances through the venous peripheral system, consisting of activity which includes: observing, initiating, monitoring, discontinuing, maintaining, regulating, adjusting, documenting, planning, intervening and evaluating.

(2) "Under the direction of a registered professional nurse" means that the registered professional nurse has delegated intravenous therapy functions to a qualified licensed practical nurse. The registered professional nurse does not in all instances have to be on the premises in order for the licensed practical nurse to perform the delegated functions.

(3) "Direct supervision" means on the premises and immediately physically available.

Specific Authority 464.006 FS. Law Implemented 464.003(3)(b) FS. History-New 1-16-91, Formerly 21O-21.002, 61F7-12.002, 59S-12.002. 64B9-12.003 Aspects of Intravenous Therapy Outside the Scope of Practice of the LPN.

(1) Aspects of intravenous therapy which are outside the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse unless under the direct supervision of the registered professional nurse or physician and which shall not be performed or initiated by licensed practical nurses without direct supervision include the following:

(a) Initiation of blood and blood products;

(b) Initiation or administration of cancer chemotherapy;

© Initiation of plasma expanders;

(d) Initiation or administration of investigational drugs;

(e) Mixing IV solution;

(f) IV pushes, except heparin flushes and saline flushes.

(2) Although this rule limits the scope of licensed practical nurse practice, it is appropriate for licensed practical nurses to care for patients receiving such therapy.

Specific Authority 456.013(2), 490.004(4) FS. Law Implemented 456.013(2) FS. History-New 1-16-91, Formerly 21O-

21.003, 61F7-12.003, 59S-12.003, Amended 4-9-98.

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