Are LPN's being phased out?

[JSlovex2]

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?

[annamaria32]

Well,

I can tell you here in Colorado, LPN's are used quite a bit. I work in a clinic where there are always LPN postings. Actually, the RN's don't seem to have as much clinic experience for some reason. Not to bash RN's, but the LPN's run the show and do all the work.

Hope that helps.

[quila_2001]

I work in a hospital in Ohio and they are firing any LPNs from acute care staff that are not in RN school by May.

[billyboblewis]

There are always a few institutions that experiment with different title mixes for one reason or another. But basic economics which apparently most nursed dont take is the reason why LPN's have job security. As far as achieving magnet status some institutions are not in a competitive situation where this is necessary. My sister works at a hospital in NJ that does not feel the need to spend money for this. They are the only hospital in the immediate area. Of course there are some hospitals that have phased out LPN's or cna's or ADN rn's. They are in the minority and will remains so because everyone in the nation is subject to the laws of economics.

[eCCU]

Hospitals yes, especially if you work in one that's seeking magnet status. We nolonger have LVNs as a matter of fact not even hiring ADNs any longer.

[sunshine1973]

I have been an LPN for 20 years and we are not being phased out. Many hospitals might not be hiring LPN's but that doesnt mean our jobs will be gone. I currently work in long term care and as medicaid has tightened down on fiscal budgets and spending, they can not afford to replace all LPN's with RN's. I am currently in a management position and an RN does have to sign off on my work, but I do the work, not the RN. For those of you who think LPN's are not capable of doing a good job, I am here to tell you I can work circles around most RN's. I am currently do the job of an RN. Many LPN's are very knowlegeable and are very capable of working in hospitals, I honestly feel that being an LPN prior to having my RN will make me a better RN in more ways than 1. Please think before you are quick to discredit the LPN and their role as nurses. Many nursing homes would shut down if they phased out LPN's due to the current budget cuts.

[starletRN]

To me it's not about whether someone is a LPN or RN. It's about the intelligence and work ethic of the individual. I've seen slackers in both groups and I've seen some great nurses in both as well.

I have noticed that hospitals in my area are hiring fewer LPNs but that seems to be only with the hospitals. That is a shame because in my first nursing job I learned a lot from the LPNs on my floor.

[Lee J A]

I personally do not think LPN's are being phased out but rather "phased back". Do you realize that Medical Assistants with recent schooling are taught phlebotomy and medication administration!! and for $12.00/hr!! For some companies it is more profitable to hire MA's. In certain settings like an LTC an LPN will always be needed but hospitals and office settings are changing.

[shellyjel]

I am a fairly new LPN, going on 2 years. Have only worked LTC but hear those rumors all the time. I didn' t want to do LTC and wonder from the sounds of comments if there is any chances of LPNs w/out Med/Surg experience and years behind it have any hope of hospital work. I am in beginning stages of working on ADN. However, I am 54 ( yea old!). Healthy and need to work, but wonder if it will do any good to get my school and be hired at that age as a new grad? Any thoughts would be appreciated!!

[tabhow52]

Not at the VA in Northern Cal. we aren't. I feel respected and appriciated working in mental health here. There are lots of LVN's at the VA. Great retirement and good benefits. The mental health RN's are a great team to work with. No so in other LVN job's i've had. Evil RN's and some nice. I beleive some feel threatened and jealous that they have more paper work and less patient contact than they do.

[olufemi254]

i am angry. if you do a search on allnurses, you will find hundreds of threads with the same topic. i have been an lpn since 1980, and a member of allnurses for over 10 years. i've never been without work, never had trouble finding a job in what ever area i chose. the term "phasing out", implies that lpn's are no longer going to exist. in february of 1979, when i started my lpn program, i began to hear this fairytale. here it is, over 30 years later, and lpn's are still here and going strong. lpn's aren't going anywhere, and it will never be a hospital that decides if our profession exists or not. have a blessed easter everyone.:flwrhrts:

yes, i think people should add not out of a profession as a whole but possibly out of hospitals. otherwise it does come across as a bit inflammatory.

[olufemi254]

I don't think LPN's will ever be phased out as long as medicine is run as a business, in most cases, for profit. Most medical businesses, hospitals, clinics, doc offices, home health, ALf's, etc. have LPN's instead of RNs because it is cost saving.

I have frequently said I wish I could trade in my RN for LPN. I would have a much easier career life.

Do you mind telling us why you think your career life would've been much easier as an LPN.

[tabhow52]

Maybe so and a WHOLE lot less money in your pocket!