i know that many hospitals are doing away with LPNs in the hospital setting. mine says that we aren't "educated" enough..... i am devastated.
i have been in hospital setting for 31 years. 27+ at the one i am in now.
i have to leave before jan, 2010. experience means nothing. what a bummer..... this is all i have been thinking about every day. too old to go for RN .... no college courses at all. thanks for letting me vent.
This is why I am strongly considering doing Excelsior for my bridge...I'm afraid if I go the traditional route I'll be out of a job before I'm done. Everyone keeps saying it wouldn't make any sense for them to get rid of LPNs in our facility, but we've all seen how much sense upper management has sometimes...
I am the same age as you with same number of years experience. We both realize that going back to school can be an option. I suspect however at this moment that is not what you are focused on.
It is that so called slap in face that being an LPN is not good enough to work in your hospital.
Not all nurses feel like that, however the reality is many places in this country are not in agreement as to use of we LPNS's in the hospital setting. I am not sure what can be done about it.
I suspect you will grieve for a time. Then you will formulate a plan based on your specific circumstances, going back to school is not within everyone's circumstances at the moment. If it is not, I understand.
There are other places that LPN's can work outside of a hospital and are still considered a valuable member of the team. I wish you a long career whatever road you take.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm a firm believer in being on the offensive rather than defensive when it comes to my life plans. :) There are things we can't anticipate but many that we can if we just keep our eyes and ears open. I love the inspirational stories of people that saw the writing on the wall and acted upon it before it acted upon them! Pagandeva is always working on something different and of course our Commuter is a great example also.
I was a factory worker for three years at a famous fortune-500 company. My job was to operate and maintain high speed manufacturing equipment that produced tissue paper (Charmin) and paper towels (Bounty). The money was good, the work schedule was great, and I found the lack of responsibility refreshing.
However, I came to several stark realizations due to my upbringing in a working-class household. I realized that this job was vulnerable if the company decided to downsize. My job could have even been phased out as the result of new technology. In addition, my manufacturing skills were not easily transferable or valuable at other workplaces. During my childhood, people like my father were very vulnerable to layoffs due to only having a high school education and no specific skills or trade. As they say, "Last hired and first fired!"
To avoid falling into the same trap as my parents, I returned to school. I had to quit the factory job because the 12-hour rotating day/night shifts weren't going to coincide with school hours. I also completed this venture while unemployed, living alone, and with no help. It was worth it because I am now an LVN.
I recently enrolled in a private LVN-to-RN bridge program that will start next month, primarily because I am cognizant of the fact that possessing an RN license will open so many more doors. I don't know where I'd be today if I had chosen to continue working at the factory. My job might have been eliminated.
I have noticed this very problem in our local hospitals. They are all hiring 20+ RN's with no positions for LPN's. Now I admit RN's can do things that I as an LPN cannot, however I find it hard to believe that an LPN couldn't at least help with one of those positions..
I'm a new grad, and not even considering applying at a hospital. In my area, there's no point, since LPNs generally aren't even given a chance. So, from my view, I see LPN opportunities to be mainly LTC and other settings outside the hospital. I think it's sad that LPNs aren't given the respect and opportunity we deserve, but we've almost been taught that we need to get our RN if we want to work in certain settings. Fortunately, I'm starting my RN in January, but it's a shame that this is pretty much required. While I'm sure it's worse to be established as a nurse and then lose your job, the facts are the same at any age for the LPN. It's never easy to go back to school when you could be working full-time and comfortably. I hope you can overlook your age as a limitation and do what's right for you regardless. Some things are never easy, and nursing schoool is one of them-at any age. On the other hand, you could look into other settings, as you'd be a real asset with your extensive experience. Good luck.
Ever heard the term "everything goes in circles?" Well, I am currently an LVN student, going to graduate in two weeks. My director was telling me that she has seen a phase where LVN's were in need, especially in the hospital, and the boom..there were gone..then boom back again. So, I have a feeling that there will be a time, very soon that LVN's will be wanted in the hospitals (hint..the falling economy). What makes me so upset is that we are trained just like RN's, learn everything they do, for the acception of IV meds. I have seen just in my area, where many hospitals weren't hiring LVN's, but lately, i've been seeing many positions available (med/surg, telemetry). Another thing I have noticed is that many hospitals are now hiring LVN's in the ER. So, please keep your hopes up high, there are many jobs that an LVN can do.
Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN
3,181 Posts
I am 53 and many of my students are older than me. Going back to school you may find new and better jobs.