Are RN's going to be a thing of the past?

[Emma_H]

Just wanted to know your thoughts on the shift from using more LPN's on units instead of RN's as they are cost saving for health authorities. We are beginning to see this in my health authority gradually. Any thoughts?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Retirees should have the option to continue working, but that depends. Are they able to fully perform the duties of the job? Mentally and physically? If not, then no. If they can't do the lifting, for example, then those hours should be granted to someone else.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I was an enrolled nurse in the UK similar to your LPN and bridged to RN and as many others have said worked with both good and bad in both. Will RN's be a thing of the past hard to say but in the UK Enrolled nurse training finished well over 20 years ago and this year RN training became only BSN level and for most it hasnt caused any major issues.

Each has their own role to play and each has their own scope of practice

[Fiona59]

But the UK didn't eliminate SENs overnight, the government offered the educational upgrades to all. Now many in are lamenting their demise.

Academia thinks they have all the answers. The issues caused by them are numerous.

[Mewsin]

I'll throw this one into the mix.

Should nurses of any designation who have retired and are collecting their pensions be able to return to work as casuals? There isn't enough positions or hours for casuals as it is but off the top of my head I can think of five working retirees.

I also think it can leave a bad feeling between staff. We have one retired nurse who comes back and she makes the most money in the facility but won't do certain things. She takes the "easy" team for the meds but then will not do the trach care for our two trach patients, or some dressing changes or other procedures she doesn't "feel comfortable" doing. So her co-nurse has to do the tough team and then come over to her side and do the rest of her work for her. I have heard from a few nurses how frustrating it is for them to work with her.

[Fiona59]

Our situation is pretty much the same. Won't start IVs, won't lift. Wants only days M-F.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

But the UK didn't eliminate SENs overnight, the government offered the educational upgrades to all. Now many in are lamenting their demise.

Academia thinks they have all the answers. The issues caused by them are numerous.

Yes. Many of the clinical educator type bedside roles that interest me (diabetes, wound care, inontinence) used to require related experience of say 3-5 years and added certifications. Fair enough.

Now, many of those role also want a Masters degree in addition. So it never ends. I completely support continuous learning and added certifications, but the requirements placed on all nurses is becoming extreme.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This is a discussion in the CANADIAN forum. Very different.

Not everyone looks to what forum they are in.

[loriangel14, RN]

Not everyone looks to what forum they are in.

And then we get all huffy about it.:)