Dwindling jobs for LPN's

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I notice the classifieds and employment websites post RN/LPN jobs at a ratio of 12 to 1. This saddens me greatly. anyone else notice this trend?

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i think in some areas it is dwindling and in some areas LPN jobs are plentiful. the hospital's are decreased for LPN jobs, the hospital i work for no longer hires LPN's.

LPN jobs are plentiful in Dr's offices , LTC, home health, hospice and i am sure you will hear more areas where jobs are plentiful.

LPN's are awesome nurses and well trained. it's a shame the hospitals are not using their resources.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

I have spoken to many RN's regarding their opinions on LPN's leaving the hospital setting. Many said they find it less stressful having not having an LPN under them.

They said sometimes they had twelve patients they had to take care of, and still be responsible for the LPN's duties and the CNA's.

Please dont flame its just a general opinion at my facility

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

I work with many LPNs at my psych facility.

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

In certain areas of the country, plentiful LPN jobs are fairly well confined to LTC. And if LTC isn't your niche it can be tough. That is the very reason I am now back in school for my RN. I want to have more options than what are currently available. I'm blessed to have a great job at the moment, but you can never know what the future holds.

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Specializes in Adult Acute Care Medicine.

Yes, at my hospital (other than one med/surge unit) LPNs can only work as "techs" now.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Cardiac Floor.
Yes, at my hospital (other than one med/surge unit) LPNs can only work as "techs" now.

:eek:

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So is it still worth it to go to LPN school then RN right after? I can't fathom going through school for 3,4 years to become a RN (whether getting associates or bachelors) without any steady income...the thought terrifies me.

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Specializes in LTC.
i notice the classifieds and employment websites post rn/lpn jobs at a ratio of 12 to 1. this saddens me greatly. anyone else notice this trend?

ltc is just about the only way for me to make a decent income while finishing my rn...hospitals won't touch us, they'll hire techs, aids, pretty much every classification you can think of except lpns..i've been an lpn for a little over two years...there are other areas like doctors offices and such, but ltc appears to pay the best..i love my job, i really do, but it stinks not to have all the options and opportunities for advancements that having an rn affords...

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
So is it still worth it to go to LPN school then RN right after? I can't fathom going through school for 3,4 years to become a RN (whether getting associates or bachelors) without any steady income...the thought terrifies me.

Absolutely that is what I and many others have done. Unless you are fresh out of high school and interested in the college scene which would be fun I also can not imagine for one minute spending time with no income as an adult. I'm too old to ever make those years up.

In my area the LPN jobs are plentiful but the opportunities are limited, big difference between that and having no LPN jobs. Its my understanding that things have been this way for quite some time. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

my hospital does not mimic others in large cities. We have about 120k people and a staff of 4k, with 900 beds, inc. rehab.

I write this to say that LPN's have fluxed throughout the years, yes, no, yes, well our SICU has 4 LPN's that will knock you socks off. We utilize LPN's on floors, stepdowns as well as cardiac surgery step down.

We may be the exception, but we have exceptional LPN's that do an incredible role.... so Unsure of your location and whats out there for you, but were in the cruix of the nursing shortage, and the LPN's we have are invaluable, NOT dispensable.

different areas of the country are different, and it is only one semester difference, if you can do anything to get through to an RN, your opportunities will be broader, your pay so much higher, despite your short term goals, living without now, will pay back higher in the end.

All of these LPN's had planned on finishing RN with in a year, over 10 yrs ago. It's hard to go back once your fincances are dependent upon the $$, do it now while you lack it and want it bad

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Specializes in LTC.

all of these lpn's had planned on finishing rn with in a year, over 10 yrs ago. it's hard to go back once your fincances are dependent upon the $$, do it now while you lack it and want it bad

couldn't have said it better zookeeper! i would give anything to go back in time and just go straight thru...i thought i'd stair step my way up, but once i got my lpn, we bought a house, new car, etc etc, and our new standard of living makes it impossible for me not to work. sigh, now i'm slowly working on my rn, online, paying for my tests as money allows...big mistake!

go straight thru, you won't regret it

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