Is it true LPN's are being phased out?

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I was planning to apply for an lpn program..but i've been hearing rumors that the lpn position is going to be phased out. can somebody clarify this for me? is it worth the risk?

These are some schools i was considering for lpn program

Bronx community college

Laguardia community college

hostos community college

Any info on any of these schools would be helpful

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I think the reason why both LPN and RNs are having difficulty obtaining a position (especially as new grads) are because of this economy, there must be even less resources to properly orient a person who is brand new to the field, so, they want seasoned nurses where they can just acclimate them to the extreme basics and send them on their way.

Sad, but true.

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I've been in healthcare since 1985 and heard those rumors back then..the rumors are always going around but never seem to pan out.

That being said, in all those years I've noticed a type of ebb and flow with LPN's. There will be a great demand for them in all areas of healthcare (including hospitals) then you will see them "phased out" per say out of certain areas (again, hospitals usually) and then the cycle starts..you'll see LPN positions being posted in the places that had previously "phased them out". But not in all departments, a certain few will have LPN's on staff.

I have plans on going back and getting my degree, but with two children to put through college, the enconomy as bad as it is, i'm holding off for a little while. If there ever came a time (in the near future) that it was imposed that LPN's were truly being phased out and not utiliazed, well then I guess i'd have my behind back in school sooner than later.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I have also seen an ebb and flow regarding the use of LPNs in hospitals. Mine in particular. I have seen them lay off LPNs in lieu of obtaining more RNs, then, seeing that they can have less RNs but allow them to supervise LPNs. It is about surviving the wave in hospitals.

I am trying to gain experience in other settings in case it ever does effect me in hospital work to pad my resume.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Adult Psych, Peds HH.

At least in this Chicagoland area, it seems that LTC centers seem to prefer hiring LPNs over RNs. They're cheaper and they're trained to do almost as much as the RN. At my facility, there is literally no difference between RNs and LPNs (except when the state comes in the building). We do admissions, assessments, IVs, MD orders, supervise CNAs, create care plans, etc., and get paid less for the same amount of work.

On a typical day shift at our facility, we have 2 RNs and 4 LPNs.

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I wish I had a loonie for everytime somebody posted this topic. I could retire.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The really strange thing I notice is ALL nurses, RN's and LVN/LPN's dropping posts on here

they can not find work! what is that about??

The economy plays an important role, since nursing is not recession-proof.
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Specializes in LTC.

I graduated little over a year ago and found work immediantly, went to work monday after graduation. It's not what you have but what you make out of it. I'm in LTC and my residents love me that is what makes it worth it.:clown:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I've heard it since 1975. ding-ding-ding scoooore!!! :rckn:

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Totally agree, I work in a hospital, and the nurses ask me all the time why you doing an lpn program don"t you want to work here. I tell them not everybody wants the hospital environment.

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Specializes in geriatric & childrens psych, rehab, woun.

I have been a LPN for almost 30 years and although the job market has been tight in the new york metro area because of some hospital closings i have always had at least part time employment. the LPN rumor of phasing out has been around since i attended school. We are the largest percentage of staffing in long term facilities and assisted living and in clinics and since you are in NYC. there are plenty of jobs available

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I wish I knew where this rumor started. I've been hearing it for about 10 years now--I just got my LPN last month. I don't know why people say LPNs are being phased out, but it isn't true. It can be difficult for an LPN to secure a position in a hospital, but LTC facilities, school nurses, and yep, even doctor's offices still hire LPNs by the drove, every day, all over the country and in Canada.

I don't see how they can ever "phase out" the LPN position as long as there is a demand for healthcare services--we are cheaper than RNs which means, if they don't need an RN for the position, they will hire an LPN to save the buck.

Go to school and get your LPN. You will find a job without any problems.

I ry to tell people this everyday on this forum,you have it right. Now I'm hearing a bsn may be the entry level for nurses. Why would. An employer pay for a bsn when he can get an lpn to do the same function for less.

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I have been a LPN for almost 30 years and although the job market has been tight in the new york metro area because of some hospital closings i have always had at least part time employment. the LPN rumor of phasing out has been around since i attended school. We are the largest percentage of staffing in long term facilities and assisted living and in clinics and since you are in NYC. there are plenty of jobs available

But,however, I feel I am obligated to tell you the truth,there are not plenty of jobs for lpns without experience in the nyc metro. There are some calling for the pahsing out of lpns and adn rns,and it seems since record numbers of people are graduating form nursing school,employers can pick and xchoose who they want,and most are slanting toward the people with the higher degrees.

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