How does being a magnet hospital affect LPNs

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 5, 2007

I am working at a hospital that is trying to obtain magnet status. The surveyors will be visiting at the end of this month. From what I witness, they are pro-RN; and they basically use us to crowd the room. No real acknowledgement from what I see. It may make things worse as they begin pushing for RNs to begin working on a BSN level, and I have often wondered how this may eventually affect the roles of the LPN for two main reasons; one is that most BSN and MSN nurses leave the bedside at the first opportunity, so, starting nurses on that level does not satisfy the nursing shortages, and also, because we are not considered to be professionals, it may further limit opportunities for LPNs in many areas. I have not experienced a shortage of opportunities in my side of the globe. But, I wish to move eventually, and have no interest in becoming an RN. I have read posts on some LPNs being laid off because they are not hiring them anymore. I do wish to have job security and decent medical benefits.

I have no vested interest in the magnet hoopla because they are not inclusive as far as I am concerned. If the state board can call me a nurse, however, am not always acknowledged or respected to be a nurse, then, just leave me in my corner of the world. But, what I see happening is that because we are in the middle of this mess, management suddenly becomes inclusive and wishes to embrace their LPNs long enough to jump on the bandwagon. An advantage of being in a magnet hospital as an LPN (may) be that if she wishes to become an RN, there may be more funds to do so. We'll see.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2007

A hospital that is attempting to achieve "magnet status" is doing so because it looks great in the eyes of the public. It is all about public perception, raking the patients in, filling beds, and maximizing profits each quarter. Most hospitals that try to achieve "magnet status" will do things to directly or indirectly phase out their LVNs/LPNs. After all, an all-RN nursing staff will look better for public perception. An all-BSN nursing staff looks even more dazzling to the public at large.

5flibh · Jun 23, 2010

I am currently working at a hospital that is trying to achieve magnet status. I have been working there for 20 years as an LPN and an RN will probably be doing my job in the near future. It makes me heart sick. I don't see how the public's perception of a hospital is better if they are a magnet hospital. My mother was recently admitted for surgery at a magnet hospital and I told her it was a magnet hospital and she said "what's that"? Your average patient has no idea what a magnet hospital is. I just hope that with the new health care bill, that magnet status will not be allowed because of the cost of employing only RN's and BSN's who get higher salaries. :confused:

misswillow · Jun 26, 2010

As a member of the general public (who has started considering nursing school), I can confirm that I had no idea what a magnet hospital was, and I was fairly knowledgeable b/c of my own health issues and time spent at different hospitals. It was only when I started reading these boards that I learned about magnet status. Also, I never would have wondered (or cared) whether the nurses that treated me were ADNs, BSNs, or LPNs (this still would not matter to me...I am more concerned with how competent and caring the nurse is).

Just my 2 cents as a non-nurse!

5flibh · Jun 26, 2010

Misswillow you have made my day! God Bless you, thank you.

MrsBradyMom · Jul 8, 2010

In my region, we have 2 Magnet's and 1 trying to obtain. In both of the Magnets, LPN's were phased out or moved to select areas of the hospital such as rehab or L&D. In both cases, LPN's are no longer hired, so it's just a matter of them retiring or moving on. I have talked to a few of the LPN's still employed and in all cases, their pay was cut when the hospital moved them to their new units. They only stayed because they had many years invested in the hospital and they want their retirement.

Due to this trend, I am feeling almost forced to get my RN, even though I make excellent money as an LPN and the RN would only make me more in debt with not much more pay. You can't win.

SWard95 · Mar 2, 2011

If you wish to remain working in a hospital as LPN under Magnet Certification, get ready for demotion or termination.

The hospital may decide, however, to allow you to work as a Nurses Aid, a Unit Secretary, a Janitor, or Kitchen help. But they will never allow you to work in any capacity as a LPN. Good luck!

crazy lucy · Mar 2, 2011

Oh you are very, very correct. The sad thing is...they are just trying to get Magnet status - so I guess the first thing is to get rid of the LPNs.

Anne36, LPN · Mar 2, 2011

As far as I can tell I there arent any hospitals in my area that hire LPNs anymore. The hospitals in my region are very competitive and always trying to build better, or outdo the other hospitals. I imagine eventually there will be a time when one of the hospitals starts bragging they only hire BSN and then its all downhill from there. People wonder why healthcare has become so expensive, its not because of better care its because of all the money they spend on new fancy hospitals and their advertising campaigns for new customers. Some of these places are more like 5 star hotels. Who can afford it?

amy14 · Mar 5, 2011

I'm a LPN working at a magnet hospital in Missouri. They were actually already a magnet hospital when I was hired on almost 3 years ago. I work on a med/surg floor and they are still hiring LPN's on my floor. There are certain floors that do not allow LPN's to work but it's always been that way there as far as I know. So I can't speak for everybody but at the magnet hospital that I work at they have not changed the amount of LPN's at the hospital and actually hire more when someone leaves. There has been no talk of fading out the LPN in our hospital. I'm sure every hospital is different. :nurse: