If LPNs are being "phased out" should I forget about taking the LPN Program???

Sterling-RN · Feb 6, 2009

When I first got out of school, I started my employment at a large hospital on a med/surg floor. I remember that the hospital was trying to get a national award that will gain recognition and great accolades in an effort to get the best doctors, and ultimately increase profits.

In order to do this, they had to write a book a foot and a half think on the hospital's accomplishments and awards, etc. One of the big sellers I can remember was the ratio of RN hours to patients. They made a statement to the LPNs that they would help with education costs if they went back to get their RN. Also, they stopped hiring LPNs.

In your situation, you may still want to consider working as an LPN in a LTC facility to pay the bills as you get your RN...if that is what you want to do. I know you are more interested in hospitals, but sometimes you need to take an interum step between what you want and your choices now. LTC facilities come in good and bad...but there are usually enough variation to get you by while you go to school. I know of several places in my area that do (3) 12hr shifts and pay for 40 hours...giving you a full time wage and time off to study. I work (2) 16 hour shifts in my facility and am off the rest of the week.

Anyway...LPN programs last about 11 months I've heard, and the bridge program is usually another year or so. Then you shouldn't have too much trouble getting into a hospital environment...and have some nursing experience under your belt as well.

Hope this helps.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2009

Fine don't get into the LPN program if you are a " hospital girl" I'm graduating with my LPN in JULY O9 and I can't wait. So what if I have to do LTC, I'll be a nurse, making money while in pursuit of my BSN. Do what you want... I'm just so sick and tired of people whining about LPNS being phased out. Yes most LPN don't work in hospitals ! So if you don't wanna do LTC ever, then don't do the work as a LPN. Its that plain and simple !

misswhitney · Feb 6, 2009

Fine don't get into the LPN program if you are a " hospital girl" I'm graduating with my LPN in JULY O9 and I can't wait. So what if I have to do LTC, I'll be a nurse, making money while in pursuit of my BSN. Do what you want... I'm just so sick and tired of people whining about LPNS being phased out. Yes most LPN don't work in hospitals ! So if you don't wanna do LTC ever, then don't do the work as a LPN. Its that plain and simple !

I don't think this comment was very appropriate. This girl wants advice, not a complaint.

I think you should do what you feel is best. My ADN program is only 16 months and at the end of my 3rd semester I can sit for my LPN boards. Which you might be able to do at your school/state as well. I would go ahead and get your RN if you want to work in a hospital. It is not that much longer and you probably can become an LPN after a certain amount of time in the RN program.

missjennmb · Feb 6, 2009

There's nothing wrong with wanting to work in a hospital instead of LTC. Some people like it and some people don't. I know many MANY LPNs that don't work in LTC and I know a few that would never have it any other way. Saying "if you dont want to work LTC don't be an LPN" is small minded, IMO. A license is a door that opens for you, regardless of which license it is.

In my area, 35 minutes one direction the hospitals do not use LPNs. 35 minutes the OTHER direction, they love LPNs and actually pay nearly what RNs are getting, because they have no aspirations of being magnet hospitals ect that keep them from using LPNs (thats my understanding...that to be a magnet hospital you need to use RNs and not LPNs but I'm sure there are other reasons as well) In fact, where we are doing our clinicals currently, at a small rural hospital, the phrases "please work here when you graduate" and "hey we are hiring three LPNs right now...bet we'll still be hiring in the fall..hint hint" have been expressed to my small clinical group and about a dozen other variations. They are dying to have us come apply there and while its not a big city hospital with an ICU, the ER is still interesting, the patient ratios are better, and the staff is for the most part very welcoming and warm. One of the bigger city hospitals in my area (guess that makes 3 hospitals hiring LPNs) doesnt pay LPNs very well, but they have great programs to help you continue towards your RN, so thats a route to go as well.

If you don't want to work in LTC that does not mean you can't be an LPN. It does mean that there are less opportunities, as most hospital positions are RN, but before cutting the cord, I would call YOUR hospitals and talk to their HR departments.

Don't ask a message board about your future. :) Do the research in your own area, figure out what you want to do and where you want to do it, and see what their requirements are.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 6, 2009

It is hard to give you an answer just based on what you have posted. Major part of it is where you are living, that should play a deciding factor. In some locales, hospitals are not hiring LPNs/LVNs any longer; so if in that area, then you need to consider your options of where you would be able to work. And the ones that they have, they are slowly being phased out.

If thinking about going the LPN route just to get paid quicker, realize that if you are in an RN program, you can also work in a hospital once you have completed one or two semesters of your program and work in the role of the student extern. This would give you much better experiences and also get you familiar with the facility as well as making it easier to get hired when you are done. Be aware that the extern pay is usually very similar to the LPN pay as well.

This would be the way to go if you want hospitals and only those.

Best of luck to you whatever you decide.

Holly5477 · Feb 6, 2009

Fine don't get into the LPN program if you are a " hospital girl" I'm graduating with my LPN in JULY O9 and I can't wait. So what if I have to do LTC, I'll be a nurse, making money while in pursuit of my BSN. Do what you want... I'm just so sick and tired of people whining about LPNS being phased out. Yes most LPN don't work in hospitals ! So if you don't wanna do LTC ever, then don't do the work as a LPN. Its that plain and simple !

You could've responded to a post that interests you...instead of leaving me your rude remarks.:barf01:

Holly5477 · Feb 6, 2009

it is hard to give you an answer just based on what you have posted. major part of it is where you are living, that should play a deciding factor. in some locales, hospitals are not hiring lpns/lvns any longer; so if in that area, then you need to consider your options of where you would be able to work. and the ones that they have, they are slowly being phased out.
if thinking about going the lpn route just to get paid quicker, realize that if you are in an rn program, you can also work in a hospital once you have completed one or two semesters of your program and work in the role of the student extern. this would give you much better experiences and also get you familiar with the facility as well as making it easier to get hired when you are done. be aware that the extern pay is usually very similar to the lpn pay as well.
this would be the way to go if you want hospitals and only those.
best of luck to you whatever you decide.

:yeah:thank you for your helpful response!!!

caliotter3 · Feb 6, 2009

Reminding you that depending upon the local job market, that even as an RN, you might find yourself applying at LTC facilities because no hospital or other desirable employer has an opening for you. Don't be so quick to dismiss LTC. Many new RNs have started out in LTC and then transferred over to acute care hospitals after obtaining valuable experience. You should focus your energies on gaining admission to an RN program. Short of that, if you find your wait too long, you can consider an LPN program. Graduation from an LPN program will put you in the category of LPN to RN transition, a viable way to get into an RN program when regular admission doesn't work. Good luck.

PathToRN · Feb 6, 2009

I have been told also that LPNs are being phased out in my state. From what I have heard none of the hospitals are hiring recent LPN grads. I think you need to know what you are getting into before you spend all the time, energy and money to go to LPN school. LPN work in LTC facilities is hard and not for everyone (trust me I have been there done that and I will never go back). Its up to you what you do, but if you want to work in a hospital I think you need to go for your RN. Do you have an ASN program nearby?

mrbiggelsworth · Feb 6, 2009

I know Federal Hospitals, like the VA, hire LPN's. Many nurses will be retiring soon as well, so there will be a need for nurses, LPN's and RN's in all areas of nursing.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2009

I can't speak for all hospitals but I know there is one located about an hour from here, that is a major hospital, that are phasing LPN's out and are offering bonuses if they go back from an RN to BSN degree.