Are LPN/LVNs a dying breed?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2007

LVNs are not a dying breed. However, hospital employment is not in the long term future of LVNs. Don't expect to work in the ER, ICU, or L&D upon completing an LVN program.

LVN job opportunities are most abundant in home health, nursing homes, rehab, hospice, psych, and assisted living facilities.

Lorie P. · Mar 29, 2007

:welcome: here in south georgia, lpn's are not being phased out. we work in many places and a number of hospitals in the area still hire and recruit us.

MsLady06 · Mar 30, 2007

not where i live!!! lol

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 30, 2007

In New York, we have LPNs working mostly everywhere. There are some private hospitals that are not hiring them because of the limits in our scope of practice, but, thus far, I cannot say that we are a dying breed. What I see is changes in who dominates. For awhile, in my hospital, they laid off most of the RNs in the clinics and had more LPNs, and there would be maybe one RN in charge in Med-Surg and again, more LPNs. I guess the ANA fixed that, and now, things seem to be pro-RN, but I suspect that there may be a shift, at least at my hospital.

BigB · Mar 30, 2007

Hi all....
I know this topic has probably been around before, but I was hoping some of you seasoned LPNs could comment on what you think about the future of LPN/LVN nursing. I'm planning to enter LVN school this June, and am both excited and apprehensive! I do plan to eventually earn my RN, but earning a paycheck within about a years' time sure sounds good.
Also, what are your experiences with stress in nursing? I used to be a high school English teacher, but got out of that after three years because of UNBELIEVABLE expectations placed on my by parents/administrators, and the fact that I felt I was little more than a glorified babysitter....
I know these topics are nothing new to you, but I'm a newbie and anything helps! Cheers y'all.

As an LVN you will be limited as to your scope of practic and you areas of work. In a lot of jobs, LVN's just pass pills. We can't assess patients in California - need an RN for that. We can't work in the acute hospitals and most LVN here work in nursing homes..not everyones cup of tea. LOng time LVN's tell me to get my RN asap! I will give you the same advice. You get more respect as an RN, but with that comes more stress and responsiblity.

Lorie P. · Mar 30, 2007

Also it depends on your state board of nursing and the facility you work at as to what you can and cannot do as a LPN.. Here in Ga, I can do everything but hang blood and certain IV drugs, usually the ones you have to be ACLS certifided for. I do assessments, start IV's draw blood, draw from PICC and Central Lines, Peg and Ngt feedings. IV push meds and etc.

So here we are not a dying breed!!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2007

Not a dying breed in Iowa!

BigB · Mar 30, 2007

Also it depends on your state board of nursing and the facility you work at as to what you can and cannot do as a LPN.. Here in Ga, I can do everything but hang blood and certain IV drugs, usually the ones you have to be ACLS certifided for. I do assessments, start IV's draw blood, draw from PICC and Central Lines, Peg and Ngt feedings. IV push meds and etc.
So here we are not a dying breed!!

Will clarify...we LVN's are a dying breed in California.

maxcrx · Mar 31, 2007

I agree with BigB....I know of 3 hospital that are phasing out the LVN slowing without them noticing...Like trying to cut their hours, hiring more CNAs...etc...

Mama2girls · Mar 31, 2007

I think they are only "dying out" in a few hospitals in a few states. Here in the South, they are still needed everywhere!

Trauma Columnist · Mar 31, 2007

A dying breed in central IL at least at the hospitals. LTC has lots of openings.