Are LVN/LPN programs a waste of time? BSN ultimate goal.

[Nurseguysf]

Hello,

I am from the San Francisco Bay Area, born and raised! I'm trying to finish my prereqs and have seen a lot of people suggest that LVN/LPN programs "help" one get a better possibility to score points into getting into BSN programs. BSN programs here have years of wait lists or you have to basically have 4.0s, crazy TEAS scores, experience etc. I'm sure many of you already know this. I was also told recently that while Licensed vocational nurses are totally competent and many are amazing at what they do, these roles are basically becoming obsolete in many settings-especially hospitals.

My brother in law, who is a Nurse Practitioner as well as his wife (Doctor) told me to not waste time on an LVN program and to just finish my pre reqs, get a job as a CNA etc. and go for a BSN program.

The thing is.... since they went to school a while ago (2012), I don't think they realize how hard and nearly impossible it is to get into programs. My BIL also had years of experience being an EMT and hospital worker and another bachelors degree prior to getting into his BSN nursing program. 

I guess, to all of those who are nurses, in BSN programs... should I go into a 1 year LVN program, while working as a care giver and doing some pre reqs... or should I seriously not waste my time and just focus on being a care giver and do my prereqs?

Thank you so much for your thoughts!

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

You're not going to like this, but the program I taught in was wary about LPNs. We had to work twice as hard with them to unlearn the "I know how to do everything an RN does, I just need the credential." I know I'm going to get flamed for this.  It's the rare LPN who comes in realizing that RN scope of practice really is different, to clear the mind and really need to start the profession afresh, and it's not all tasks. Students in general tend to be very task-focused, but it's worse when the LPN is already proficient in them.

[9kidsmomRN]

In north central Wisconsin some of the students in the ADN program( already CNAs) “spin off” and sit for their LPN(LVN) Exam. If they pass, our hospital typically keeps them on, allows them to take on additional responsibilities-NG, foley placement, IV start, some medication admin. as they continue their journey to RN. As an LPN they make a higher wage than CNA and they continue to learn “our way of being”. They are used to our charting system and have been through general orientation so are on a streamlined orientation process. It’s good for them and good for us. They often enroll in an online BSN program, since there really isn’t much as far as a local BSN program nearby.  Because it is a tech school it is fairly easy to get in and is cost effective.  there is financial aid available from my employer as well-not sure about our competition. The School works collaboratively with both local hospitals, too. That said, I know nothing about California, but the question was posed about how it is in other areas. 

[Jeff_keeth]

NG tube placement and IV starts? Not sure that's a good thing?.

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

1 hour ago, Jeff_keeth said:

NG tube placement and IV starts? Not sure that's a good thing?.

Why? It’s part of their scope of practice in my state and presumably in this one too.

[turtlesRcool]

6 hours ago, HiddencatBSN said:

Why? It’s part of their scope of practice in my state and presumably in this one too.

Agreed. Many nursing tasks are not the exclusive purview of RNs. Every time I give blood with the Red Cross, it's a phlebotomist starting the IV.  My BSN program did not teach venipuncture at all, so I've learned on the job and am only so-so at it, but EMTs start lines in the back of a moving vehicle. Why object to LPNs doing the same? 

LPNs are the backbone of many outpatient practices and nursing homes. Especially in long term care, they need to be proficient with feeding tubes, wound care, catheters, etc. My stepmother is a LPN, and worked for a urology group for years - multiple straightcaths and foleys per day for regulars who came to the office. If you were a guy with an enlarged prostate, would you want her or a newly minted RN tending to your urinary retention?

The problem with getting just an LPN/LVN credential is rarely the competence of the nurse, but rather the realities of the job market.  As an RN, I would love to work in a hospital that employed LPNs.  When multiple patients need things outside of a CNA scope of practice, they have to wait for me to get to them.  It would be amazing if there were an LPN who could step in.

[Jeff_keeth]

Personally I don't see hospitals ever hiring LPN's. RN's @ times  can't even get jobs. It'll be soon enough where only BSN's will be hired. Of course grandfathered Associate RN's will be fine.

[Jeff_keeth]

I'm in a big city with alot of hospitals.  Just never seen LPN's in those. I could be wrong. Just not in ATL. Maybe @ Grady, an inner city hospital??

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

3 hours ago, Jeff_keeth said:

Personally I don't see hospitals ever hiring LPN's. RN's @ times  can't even get jobs. It'll be soon enough where only BSN's will be hired. Of course grandfathered Associate RN's will be fine.

Hiring practices ate very regional dependent, I worked in PA and never saw an LPN in acute care and work in Central New York now and my hospital uses LPNs in all inpatient units. Regardless of regional preferences that doesn’t explain why you think an LPN starting an IV or dropping an ngt is a bad idea.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Many states used to allow nursing students to sit LPN boards after their first year of school. I'm not sure there are many left that do that.

Scope of practice re IV starts, hanging blood, sinking NG tubes, and the like vary across the states. Not all state Boards Of Nursing allow that expansion of nursing practice to LPNs.

An old, old, old discussion that usually devolves into argument, the core of which is best reduced to "tasks." Students always want to know what they can do, but nurses are more than the tasks they have become proficient at. And anecdote is not the singular of data.