Are LPN's being phased out?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I know people have been saying for years that everyone would need a BSN and LPN's would be a thing of the past, etc. Well, so far, where I work (a large, magnet hospital) there are still many, many nurses without a BSN -but there are veeery few LPN's. I attended a meeting last week where my supervisor was lecturing RNs about signing off on LPN's charts and she mentioned that there are very few LPN's and even mentioned that some of those LPN's are about to graduate to be RN's. I overheard other RNs in the cafeteria complaining about LPN's basically saying, "what's the point when we have to go behind them."

They are definitely being phased out where I work. They aren't hiring LPN's anymore although the ones who are there aren't getting fired or anything. What is it like where you work? Do you think LPN's have a future?

Specializes in GI/ geriatrics.

I'm a new grad. LPN in Trenton NJ , waiting to take the nclex. I also went to LPN school due to long waiting lists for the RN program. I have 5 hospitals in my area but only one of them uses LPN's, but "only" in thier locked prison unit, locked mental health/crisis unit and home care. Sure, the LTC facilities still use LPN's and I'm sure thats what i will wind up doing until i finish my RN program but thats not my first choice. I've worked in hospitals for 20 yrs as a unit clerk, phlebotomist/EKG tech, critical care tech and last as a Certified Endo tech. and LOVE most areas of acute care. All of my clinicals have been in LTC and I can honestly say I dread it but the truth is that I'm stuck with it till I become an RN. Sad but true :cry:

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Specializes in Dialysis, LTC,.

@JamiR369... I will b starting a LPN course in Trenton also. This is the only path for me as of now! I will b continuing with the LPN to RN prg at the county college. I wanted to know if you found a job yet and if so where? I am nervous about the prg and finding a job after I'm fin.

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Specializes in IMCU.
Hi muffylpn, thanks for trying to help me... I appreciate it. I will try to email you soon. So I'm assuming they are accepting LPN's still nationwide??? I wonder if the lady I spoke to on the phone was mistaken or something?... I just hope they are still accepting LPN's. I'd still like to volunteer soon.

Hey there,

I am going to volunteer in their Chicago clinic this month. I saw on their website that they seem to take RNs only. What a pity for them.

I'll ask around while I am there about all of this.

Best

DV

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am a LPN in Virginia and yes the hospitals are phasing out LPNs here in my local area. However, I don't believe that the healthcare field can afford to phase out LPNs all together. RNs are expensive and as a newer LPN I am probably making more working in LTC and corrections than a new RN working in a hospital. I do value the idea of higher education as I am seeking a way to become a RN myself and I believe that hospital experience is a cornerstone for all levels of nursing. But I know that I am just as capable or even more so than many RNs I have worked with. I have never had a RN "babysit" me until my recent job in corrections and I hate it. As a LPN in a nursing home and fresh out of school my "nursing judgement" was just as respected as any other nurse, LPN or RN. I worked night shift with no RNs and no supervision. When an emergency came up I learned how to handle it myself. Nobody came to save the poor little "new nurse" and I'm stronger and more confident for it. No disrespect to the RNs out there but LPNs are the backbone of nursing and we do things and go places that RNs often dare not to. Don't count us out yet!!!

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Hey there,

I am going to volunteer in their Chicago clinic this month. I saw on their website that they seem to take RNs only. What a pity for them.

I'll ask around while I am there about all of this.

Best

DV

I recently got an email from them, and they do take LPN's in some areas. They sent me some applications for events coming up in my area soon, and they accept LPN's for those events luckily. I hope they do accept LPNs in Chicago. Let us know what you hear! :)

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As an LPN with 20 years of hospital experience, I now find myself unmarkatable. Doctors offices have replaced LPN's with MA's and the glut of LPN's displaced has made finding a job as an LPN impossible. I know have a job woking in health infomatics because I am a computer geek, and can teach others to use electronic medical records.

As for the job skills, I precepted many of the RN's I worked with, and was certified to do everything but hang blood .(I usually hung the tubing with NS, checked it off with the RN and monitored it. I just could not spike the bag.) I find that RN and LPN new grads are equally clueless upon graduation from school when it comes to patient care. The skill set is learned in the trenches. An older RN and I agree that the new crop of RN's are particularly clueless at hands on care as schools move further and further into academics, and away from the all important clinical skills. I have worked in ICU's, CVIMCU, Pediatics, Renal and med -tele and ER. I never had to be "babysat" in fact I have talked many an RN through a procedure.

I am always reminded of the valadictorian of the RN class at our local college who lasted 3 weeks on the floor before she appied for a job as the diabetic educator, she was great at academics, and clinically clueless.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, plasmapheresis.

Electronic medical records are now being outsourced to India, etc. Here, I've been to three places= all use scanners, to transmit all info overseas, where techs paid nothing create, file, and etc. all the needed information. Amazing.

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Specializes in IMCU.
I recently got an email from them, and they do take LPN's in some areas. They sent me some applications for events coming up in my area soon, and they accept LPN's for those events luckily. I hope they do accept LPNs in Chicago. Let us know what you hear! :)

They are accepting LPNs for Chicago I just checked. Do the online application for medical and bring your license to show them on the day. If you are coming let me know we should meet up. I'll be traveling in from up north.

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Specializes in GI/ geriatrics.
@JamiR369... I will b starting a LPN course in Trenton also. This is the only path for me as of now! I will b continuing with the LPN to RN prg at the county college. I wanted to know if you found a job yet and if so where? I am nervous about the prg and finding a job after I'm fin.

I graduated June 24th and took my exit exam july 8 and just recieved a reply from the state board of NJ with info on getting my fingerprints. I will be registering for the Nclex first tomorrow morning. So to answer your question, NO, I havent found a job :( and looks to be slim pickins. All i see is home care agency listed! Not good for a new grad... Anyone know of any LTC or acute care facilities hiring in NJ???

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, plasmapheresis.

I've been an LPN for 25 years. I've had 72 jobs, in three states. Even as late as five years ago, it was possible to quit a job, and start a new one the next day, in LTC, anyway. Now, in AZ, new grad RN's are taking the place of LPNs in LTC, since the market is so sad that they can pay those RNs far less than an LPN. And physician offices are replacing LPNs and RNs with medical assistants that are paid about $9 an hour. Yet still, Philipino RNs are being imported on work visas to staff hospitals here, even though there is no shortage whatsoever, and those people will work for much less than native nurses, so the downward wage pressure is just amazing. I think LPN schools ought to be forced to shut down, until a comprehensive study can be done, to determine if there is any market for LPNs, in what capacity, nationally. There are too many schools, too many garduates with no prospects, going into too much debt. Comments?

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I am speaking for Mississippi only. They are phasing the LPN out. I know cause I am one! None of the hositals will hire an LPN because they are all going Magnet status or whatever it's called. We have MANY hospitals in my area. All but one, hired LPNs for everything. Now, they "let them go". Some that have been there for 20 years, were moved to a unit clerk position. Even the LTC are requiring LPNs to have 1 year experience because they can be picky. What I hate, is I went to school and busted my butt in clinicals and am I.V. certified, yet I can't get a job doing anything but med passes! They keep putting LPNs out of these schools and there are no jobs. If you are lucky, you can go up against about 400 other applicants at one hospital that has about 5 openings per year for the LPN in the clinics that pay 12.00/hr. That is an insult to my education.

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I am sorry that you find yourself in this position. However when I was not satisfied with the oppportunities where I lived I sold my house and moved with my family to a place where I had a better chance of getting a good job. Perhaps this is something you should think about. I know there are plenty of LPN openings in Louisiana. If you check the classifieds for the Baton Rouge and New Orleans papers you will see they have long lists of jobs for LPN's many more than for RN's. I see adds requesting Lpns to take management jobs in some places that usually would have been reserved for RN's. Sometimes you have to take a risk and that does mean moving away from family other than your own kids and husband or wife.

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