Are they being phased out?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hi. I am a LPN student. I have a question. Are most LPN's being phased out? Was it hard for you to find a job? Have you heard of this in your work place? A lot of people are telling me this, and I don't know if this is true.

Please answer back with any information you have.

Also, how hard was it in the nursing classes you have taken?

Thanks

hello babaygirl87. All I can say is the LPN are being phased out in hospitals. I live in Florida and sadly, that is the case. However, as an LPN you can find other jobs at LTC facilities includiong nursing homes, sklilled nursing facilties, private practices, and home health care. As for LPN classes being hard, of course it's difficult and stressful at times. Every nursing class comes with that price. However, if you really want to be a nurse, then you will go through whatever you have to go through to make it to the top. Remember, it all depends on where you want to go in Nursing. Do you want to stay an LPN and advance futher to become an RN? I hope this helps and I know that you will make the right choice in the end. hang in there. :):):):nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Message Deleted. Error :( Sorry

Up Vote Up Vote ×

About 17 or so years ago I read in nursing textbooks in discussing nursing theories and the directions the profession is going in, that LPN/LVNs were to be phased out in favor of Associate Degree RNs who would be considered technical nurses. Of course, professional nurses would hold BSNs. There was even talk of changing the designation of BSNs to RN and ASNs would be called Technical Nurses or Registered Technical Nurses, not Registered Nurses. This was being discussed in the 1950's. As you can see it is now 2007 and many LPN/LVN training programs, both in and out of community colleges and with and without associated Associate Degrees proliferate. However, when you job search in various areas, you will find that many hospitals are converting over to RNs only. LPNs have been getting more and more limited job opportunities for quite some time. Anytime you go to an employer for a position, almost always the RN applicant will be hired over the LPN applicant. That is a given. Many LPNs go on to pursue an RN license for just this reason.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
thanks. i think i will be okay. my family and friends want me to go for it and just be an rn. i plan on doing so in the future, i will take the rn challenge. does anyone know what that is like? i heard it is much easier after becoming an lpn. :lol2:

there is no rn challenge, there are lpn to rn bridge programs. i am sure that you would be familiar with some of the material after having taken the lpn course and would have practiced as an lpn, but it really depends on each individual, i suppose or the program. i had friends tell me that they felt they were learning the same thing over again with a few extra details, and there are others that told me it was very hard.

good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You reallly need to research employment opportunities in your own state.

I work in Canada and in my hospital alone we have currently 35+ PN vacancies. We are definitely NOT being phased out. My province is currently short 1500 nurses of both designations.

Nursing education is being overhauled constantly. One theory up here is that in the next two decades the PN will be the entry level for all nurses with the degree holders bouncing off to administrative and educational roles.

One thing I've learnt as a nurse is never say something will be phased out. The health authorities will always find a way to change your role. My role has changed dramatically in the last five years with skills and responsiblities being added that have traditionally been the RNs sphere. PNs are now in public health, immunization programmes and ICU. Areas we were told we would NEVER go.

Only you can decide what YOU want to do. Personally, I never want to be Charge (and deal with families) or work in L&D, the only two things not open to me in my hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
There is no RN challenge, there are LPN to RN bridge programs.
Pagandeva is very correct that an individual cannot challenge any exam or state boards to become an RN. For that, you'll need to attend an accredited school of nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN. LPN-to-RN bridge programs facilitate the transition from LPN to RN.

However, people with military medic experience are permitted to challenge the state boards to become LPNs/LVNs in a few states. California is one state that comes to mind because they offer the option for former medics to challenge the NCLEX-PN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
thanks. i think i will be okay. my family and friends want me to go for it and just be an rn. i plan on doing so in the future, i will take the rn challenge. does anyone know what that is like? i heard it is much easier after becoming an lpn. :lol2:

i don't think she meant the rn challenge in that way. what she proabaly meant is the she will be up to the challenge of becoming an rn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Almost 40 years ago when I was a SVN we discussed this.

At my hospital we RNs are advocating for more LVNs. The hospital wants LVNs assigned to patients but every patient in acute care must be assigned to an RN.

We have a law requiring staffing by acuity with ratios as the minimum number of nurses.

We recommended an acuity system that staffs up with either LVN or RN for the sickest patients. It would be a team. Like in med/surg two RNs would have 5 patients each with an LVN and a CNA. If no LVN is available we need another RN.

The hospital wants to phase out LVNs because on the rare shifts with lower acuity we could use a CNA instead of our amazing LVN.

This is short sighted because they will have to pay an RN instead of an LVN when the acuity goes up. And that can happen with one admit or patient getting worse. For our patients sake we need another licensed nurse.

I am assisting a wonderful young LVN who is in an RN program. She is weekend charge nurse on the night shift in a nursing home. I'm sure the patients get excellent care when she is working.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't think she meant the RN challenge in that way. What she proabaly meant is the she will be up to the challenge of becoming an RN.

That's right. I guess thats what they call it in NJ...basically same thing as going from LPN to RN.

Also another question....How much math will there be?? None as of yet....:uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey babygirl,

I live in south Jersey and I can't throw a stick without hitting an LPN job, so don't worry about that. As for the math, it's not that bad. You need to have basic skills and learn the formulas.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That's right. I guess thats what they call it in NJ...basically same thing as going from LPN to RN.

Also another question....How much math will there be?? None as of yet....:uhoh3:

a lot of math. But I'm sure that the your school will teach you the formulas you need. I wish you the very best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
hey babygirl,

i live in south jersey and i can't throw a stick without hitting an lpn job, so don't worry about that. as for the math, it's not that bad. you need to have basic skills and learn the formulas.

good luck.

hey, i live in south nj..vineland actually. thanks for your reassuring comment. are you a lpn, if you don't mind me asking? how long did it take you to get a job?:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment