Doing Away with LPN?

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2014

I've been hearing that for years, and believe its more of an urban legend than truth. In my area, LPNs are not utilized in the hospital setting as they used to be, but there are many LPNs in other areas of nursing. It may vary depending on area. Do some research into your area and the arena of healthcare you'd prefer to work in, then proceed from there. Interview the schools you're investigating.

87RN · Jul 4, 2014

Where I live, our hospital doesn't use LPN's but most of the clinic jobs hire LPN's instead of RNs.

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jul 4, 2014

It may depend on where you live. In my area, LPNs are no longer working at the major hospitals BUT, are at the hospitals in the more rural areas and further out. The LPNs are coordinated care workers. However, there are a crap load of LPN positions at agencies, home health, assisted living facilities, etc in my area and get paid well to.

TraumaORnurse · Jul 4, 2014

My current hospital let all the LPNs go at the 1st of the year. The 2 previous hospitals I worked at would not hire LPNs and were encouraging the current ones to get their RN. The only places I've seen LPNs still being hired is long-term care and occasionally doctor's offices.

scully4174 · Jul 4, 2014

No they won't get rid of lpns just wot be able to get certain jobs. I've been hearing for years now that they wish to get rid of all 2 yr RN's an make all RN's get their BSN

TiredKitten · Jul 4, 2014

I've heard those rumors for years. I don't think LPNs will ever be completely gone, just not doing the traditional hospital floor nurse of the past.

The hospitals here have stopped hiring LPNs for floor nursing, but are still utilizing them in the various onsite clinics. I did run into one LPN that was working the cardio telemetry floor in the hospital I did my preceptor in. She worked the night shift and was grandfathered in, and it was a smaller hospital in suburbs.

LTC is a big employer of LPNs. So are doctors offices. LPNs can do those job, so financially it benefits the employer to pay an LPN a lower salary to do the work.

duskyjewel · Jul 5, 2014

I work as a CNA in hospice and we employ tons of LPNs. That's most of the reason I feel comfortable pursuing LPN first. Here in AZ they also work in LTC and assisted living, and doing home care.

allnurses Guide · Jul 5, 2014

No, they are not doing away with LPNs but if you are able to go into an RN program (because you said the next step could be LPN or RN) it's probably better to go straight for the RN. That way you will have lots more options once you graduate. Since there is no longer a nationwide nursing shortage it's always worth it to make yourself as marketable as possible as a new nurse. Best wishes to you!

jlynn32891 · Jul 5, 2014

In Long Island, NY yes this is true, LPN positions are nonexistent in hospitals but there are tons of positions available in nursing homes, clinics, doctors offices etc. So if your goal is to work as an LPN in a hospital unfortunately you may not have any luck with that. But rest assured that LPNs are needed in other facilities. Hope this helped.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jul 5, 2014

Yep, heard that when I was in LPN school in 1984. Twenty-four years later, it almost became my reality so I returned for an ASN. Once I completed that, my then-employer did an organizational-wide survey to see how many RNs were in possession of a BSN. I figured I would wait another 24 years for the BSN move to hit my area, and began casually pursuing the BSN, nothing serious...just a core course here and there. Now, with 5 weeks left in my BSN program, I'm proud to say that I made a wise move because I have personally seen some of my very talented LPN friends lose their jobs to new-grad ASN/BSN RNs.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jul 5, 2014

Oops. 3rd line, 8th word should read *wouldn't*. Sorry. :blink: