Is it true that they are trying to eliminate LPN's?

[blessnme]

I keep hearing about how they are tryin to do away with the role of LPN in most hospitals? My friend works for Methodist in TN and states they have no LPN's working. She have noticed a large number on Medical Assistants taking the role of the LPN's.

[jenvie]

Hi. I also am interested in working with seniors. I help care for my grandmother who is 90 and in a memory care unit. My husband is a supervisor at an upscale retirment community that ranges from independent living to skilled nursing and memory care. I just don't know which way is best. I don't want to close doors to getting my RN or even BSN and don't want to start out as an LPN to only struggle finding work. But I don't feel like I have the time to spend in an RN or higher program at this time, when I am really needing income. I am registered at a community college already for prereqs for LPN, but am stressing to make the choice and needing to change my classes for the RN prereqs. AAAHHH...

[prettyinblu]

My honest opinion is that it depends on the setting you work in. Currently I work in a rehab hospital and they now as of last year have a policy of NOT HIRING LPNs. There's a lot of tension between the RNs and LPNs at my facility but it started when the company started separting us by title. The older LPNs are being treated terribly and then you have the LPNs that are going to school and of course the ones that see no need in going back to school.

[radicalsenseofhope]

Hi. I also am interested in working with seniors. I help care for my grandmother who is 90 and in a memory care unit. My husband is a supervisor at an upscale retirment community that ranges from independent living to skilled nursing and memory care. I just don't know which way is best. I don't want to close doors to getting my RN or even BSN and don't want to start out as an LPN to only struggle finding work. But I don't feel like I have the time to spend in an RN or higher program at this time, when I am really needing income. I am registered at a community college already for prereqs for LPN, but am stressing to make the choice and needing to change my classes for the RN prereqs. AAAHHH...

I feel exactly the same way. It is a tough decision! Of course the reality in my area is that new grad RNs are having a hard time finding jobs too. This economy has really shut down opportunities for new grads in just about every career field. You really need to have your foot in the door somewhere to get a chance.

[radicalsenseofhope]

My honest opinion is that it depends on the setting you work in. Currently I work in a rehab hospital and they now as of last year have a policy of NOT HIRING LPNs. There's a lot of tension between the RNs and LPNs at my facility but it started when the company started separting us by title. The older LPNs are being treated terribly and then you have the LPNs that are going to school and of course the ones that see no need in going back to school.

Yeah, I agree. Almost all hospital work around here is RN only, no matter what department. BSNs are preferred because most hospitals are trying to go magnet status. But at least in my area the nursing home setting, including rehab that is attached to a long term care facility, is still the realm of the LPN, but who knows how long that will last. There certainly is no shortage of graduate RNs looking for work. They could easily get rid of all the LPNs in long term care as long as those new grad RNs would consider working LTC. I don't see it happening anytime soon though because most RNs will only take LTC as a last resort because they see the hospital as the gold standard. LPNs willing to work LTC will be around for a while, at least in my area, in my opinion.