Are LPNs being phased out?

U.S.A. New Jersey

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I have enrolled at Dover Business school in New Jersey to start my LPN classes Sept. 26. I now have doubts because I hear people saying that LPNs are not getting hired anymore even in Nursing Homes. I was planning to work two years after completion then go back and do LPN-RN bridge. I have two very young boys ages 1 and 3 so I can't afford to study something that will take longer than two years because my husband will be carrying all the bills which will extremely hard on our family. So i want to study for a year or so then go back later when our finances are in a better shape, i just don't want to waste my time and money if i won't find employment as a LPN later. I'm extremely stressed and losing sleep because classes are starting soon, any advice will be appreciated.

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

This is a debate that has been going on for as long as I have been in the business.

Here in South Florida all of the hospitals have phased out the LPNs and are not hiring any new ones. However, all of the LTC facilites are staffed with LPNs with one RN to supervise the floor. Also, some Home Health agencies, Hospice, many Doctors offices-but most of them have switched to medical assistants now-(our school system requires an RN), corrections, some case management, MDS coordiators and there are other opportunities I can't think of..so dont give up. Although, I don't know what it's like in NJ...this is just down here...still employable.

But...jobs are tight for all nurses here...although, LTC usually has some openings.

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Not in Georgia, my cousin has been a LPN for 6 years and she's worked in a doctors office, a hospital, and now shes a school nurse.

Actually, I heard Medical Assistants & CNA's were being phased out. =0

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I don't see the rationale in becoming an LPN in 2 years when you can become an RN in 2 years. Unless there are no ADN programs near you, what is the point?

And facilities have been phasing out LPNs for 30 years - I don't necessarily agree with it, but I think it may be easier to control the workforce with fewer layers, and to make those layers more distinct.

Best wishes, no matter what your decision!

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
I have enrolled at Dover Business school in New Jersey to start my LPN classes Sept. 26. I now have doubts because I hear people saying that LPNs are not getting hired anymore even in Nursing Homes. I was planning to work two years after completion then go back and do LPN-RN bridge. I have two very young boys ages 1 and 3 so I can't afford to study something that will take longer than two years because my husband will be carrying all the bills which will extremely hard on our family. So i want to study for a year or so then go back later when our finances are in a better shape, i just don't want to waste my time and money if i won't find employment as a LPN later. I'm extremely stressed and losing sleep because classes are starting soon, any advice will be appreciated.

I can only speak for my area: Hospitals? Nope, when an exsisting LPN leaves, they are replaced by an RN. Clinics? Nope, they hire MA's and call them nurses. LTC's? YES--that's where LPN's are hired here!

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Specializes in I like everything except ER.

They have been saying that since I graduated in 1976!

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LPN jobs abound around here. If you're not in the ER or ICU there's a probably a 6 in 10 chance you're talking to a LPN it seems.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE This has been discussed many many times. LPN's are not going anywhere. Read anyone of these many numerous discussions.

https://allnurses.com/gsearch.php?cx=partner-pub-9350112648257122%3Avaz70l-mgo9&cof=DIV%3Acacaca%3BBGC%3AF8F7F5%3BFORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&as_q=lpn's+are+they+being+phased+out#1733

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

poster is specifically asking about nj area.

as moderator of nj nursing forum + living across river from nj, even new grad rn's are having trouble finding first position in hospitals --hiring is tight acoss most of state.

lpn would only be used in home health with experience. hiring is mostly in nursing homes, some clinics and scant doctors office as using medical assistants.

moving to nj forum... check out the nj nursing programs discussion for student discussions.

look at hospital websites, nj star ledger, nursing spectrum and advance for nurses to see job opportunities in your area.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

In my area of NJ, LPNs are hired in LTC, sub acute rehab, home care (but not usually new grads unless they graduated from certain well known programs. The grads from the well established county school are getting hired over grads from the new private for-profit school) Some agencies hire LPN's for "school nursing" (1:1 care of a child with medical needs as per IEP/IHP) as requested by school districts.

The hospitals that are going back to hiring LPNs in certain areas are doing so on a trial basis as none of the local hospitals permit PCA/PCT's to insert or d/c foleys, insert, d/c, or maintain IV access, administer any medications or vaccines as has happened in other states. The few that are starting to hire LPN's are doing so for specific areas where LPN's would be most of an asset (such as med-surg) not areas where they cannot perform most of the nursing functions (like ER, OR, or ICU). Clinical research will hire LPN's for patient studies.

I am guessing you are doing a 2-year LPN program because you are attending part time? One suggestion is to ensure that your education is accepted at any local LPN-RN bridge if that is your next goal. Not all "credits" from private technical schools are accepted at the county college LPN-RN bridge programs.

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

OP, are there any ADN schools in your area... they take 2 years and you end up with a RN..not sure why your LPN school is 2 years, here they seem to be 1 year or so...so if you can go the ADN route, it would be worth it and you'd have your RN and in just 2 years...then you could go for the BSN later.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
OP, are there any ADN schools in your area... they take 2 years and you end up with a RN..not sure why your LPN school is 2 years, here they seem to be 1 year or so...so if you can go the ADN route, it would be worth it and you'd have your RN and in just 2 years...then you could go for the BSN later.

Heck Diva, My LPN program was 3 years. 3 semesters of general ed and science and 3 semesters of nursing classes. Granted, I went to a CC and all my classes transfered to the university (even a couple of the nursing classes). I graduated w/ ADN-PN. Then I moved here (Louisiana) and find out I could have done the RN route in the same amount of time.

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
Heck Diva, My LPN program was 3 years. 3 semesters of general ed and science and 3 semesters of nursing classes. Granted, I went to a CC and all my classes transfered to the university (even a couple of the nursing classes). I graduated w/ ADN-PN. Then I moved here (Louisiana) and find out I could have done the RN route in the same amount of time.

Wow, I am really impressed...I had already done all of the pre req's b/c I was a RDH (they are the same for both) and already had a graduate degree so it only took me 18 months to get my ADN....I went thru with no breaks at all..it was kind of a whirlwind but it was necessary at the time.

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