No more LPNs?

luvinRN · Apr 18, 2009

I am not a nurse just yet however I had a class with lots of R.N's and when I asked them about LVN's they told me the same thing and it wasnt just one, they all agreed.

changeofpaceRN · Apr 18, 2009

Well, I don't know any facts but I do know the hospitals around here are phasing out LPN's. That being said, LPN's are very much a big part of the LTC and ALF care area. Before I became a RN, I was a LPN and I can tell you there was a bunch of jobs for LPN's around here. I can't imagine medicaid/medicare paying for ALL RN's in a LTC facility. That just doesn't make sense financially when LPN's can do much of the same things- they have a hard enough time paying them as it is! I also know a lot of doctor's offices hire LPN's and MA's (unless it's a specialized area like plastic surgery, OB or oncology ect..).

chiquiraveloski · Apr 18, 2009

Our hospital do not hire LPNs anymore, RN's only. They are trying to just use the LPNs they have right now, and if they happen to quit, they will be replaced with an RN.

MikeyBSN · Apr 18, 2009

In my area, LPNs are mainly used in LTC facilities and in homecare. I know an LPN who works on a "sub acute" unit in a LTC facility, which takes patients when they are discharged from the hospital but still need some extra care. As far as I know, hospitals in my area don't hire LPNs.

Nurse2184 · Apr 18, 2009

I work in a hospital on a postpartum unit. As far as I know our unit hires RNs and LPNs. I know many LPNs that work at this hospital on different units. I think it just depends on where you are located.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 18, 2009

Oh, boy...here we go again...(no offense to the original poster, however)...the disappearence of LPNs. I doubt it will happen. They may decrease or eliminate the role of LPNs in the hospitals, but, as mentioned earlier, we do rule LTC, ALF and home care. The hospitals in my area have not fired LPNs. They may not be replacing them, but they haven't been terminated, either.

msavlpn · Apr 18, 2009

I work in a hospital on a postpartum unit. As far as I know our unit hires RNs and LPNs. I know many LPNs that work at this hospital on different units. I think it just depends on where you are located.

Wow, how did you get into the postpartum unit so young? I was told it took years to get in L&D and that unit. Good for you.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Apr 18, 2009

i work in a hospital on telemetry, we have a few LPN's on our floor, and i know there are also some on post partum, ER, neuroscience, med/surg, and CV step down to name a few.

it depends on which area of the country you live in and the facilities in the area....

like everyone else has said, there really isn't a way they can phase out LPN's in SNF/ALF/LTC, etc..... the job opportunities for LPNs, esp in this area, are many... doctors offices, outpt surg centers, hospice, home health, etc, etc....

OC_An Khe · Apr 18, 2009

The reason LPN's are being phased out in acute care settings is because of their limited scope of practice (varies by state practice act) as compared to an RN. By replacing the LPN with an RN the hospital gets enhanced flexibility in staffing and doesn't have to worry about the under direct supervision of an RN as they have to with an LPN.

It is different in LTC, ALF, and rehab but over time I believe the LPN will eventually (decades) be phased out there also. Reasoning is that patients in these facilities are becoming more complex with a higher level of acuity.

Mister_Nurse · Apr 18, 2009

where im at, LPNs are high in demand. There in Med/Surgery/Emerge/OR/Peds/Post-Part/Community. Most of our acute floors especially Med/Surge the staffing are pretty much half RN/LPN. Scope of LPN here are almost the same as the RN with exception of TPN/Spiking Blood Bag/PICC line flushes. They can start doing IV push here in designated facilities and our 2 year LPN program is now the old RN diploma. They have their own patients and dont have direct supervision of an RN except for the charge nurse who in the unit supervises both RN/LPN. But yes this is in Canada so it depends what region you are at.

NC Girl BSN · Apr 18, 2009

IMO, LPN's will never be phased out. In NC, most of the hopsitals are only hiring RN's and encouraging the LPN to go and get their RN. LPN's are alive and well in LTC and clinics. I wanted more options so I went and continued my education and got my RN because LTC was working the mess out of me as a LPN. It was so routine and I wanted other options. So if your going for your LPN, you will find a job but your selections will be limited in alot of areas.