LPN lay-offs in Ohio

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Specializes in Emergency.

I was sorry to hear that the brand new Atrium Hospital in Middletown has decided to lay off all of its LPN's. I hope this not true. This is one reason that I, after 35 years as a hospital LPN, am going back to school through EC. I hope to be done by summer of 2009. LPN's have gone through this before, 1986; and will continue to be ever fearful of job loss. I would encourage all LPN's to go on for their RN(if they so choose). For those of us who are the main breadwinners in our families, it seems almost essential. I do hope other hospitals in my area, especially mine, do not go the way of the Atrium.

If anyone has heard of this happening in their area, please respond to this thread. And know that we're all in this together. And in my prayers.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Med-Surg, ICU.

First off, congratulations on your decision to get back in school. It won't be easy, but I can honestly tell you that it is well worth it. I was an LPN for over 10 years and got my RN license last year. I believe that this was the wisest career decision I ever made, as it has opened up so many doors for me.

I heard from a reliable source that the Atrium did lay off all their LPNs. That's a real shame.

If you haven't already received it, the latest Momentum magazine has an article in it pertaining to this very subject. I just got it today and only had time to glance at it.

While there is a definite RN shortage, there is a relative surplus of LPNs. This varies by region, of course. One would think that LPNs could fill in for RNs, and in some cases they do, but there is also that limited scope of practice that proves to be a hinderance when it comes to hospital nursing. Thus, many LPNs are working in nursing homes. Again, it's regional, but I am hearing that new grads are having a hard time finding jobs even in ECFs, something I rarely heard of 5-10 years ago. Of course, the economy isn't helping either.

As you alluded to, this type of thing is cyclical. Anyway, more education is never a bad thing.

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I'm in Toledo, and am about to graduate from an LPN program. I can't even put in words how grateful I am that I applied for a regular RN seat at my school at the same time I applied for the LPN program. I didn't turn that down even though I did the LPN, and am now finding myself continuing on in Jan for a regular RN program.

I think it's awful that I'm unable to practice all the skills I've learned this year. LPNs have a wealth of knowledge and skills to share, yet are undervalued and, as I've seen, are treated poorly. The fact is, hospitals aren't hiring, and LTC jobs have become competitive in Toledo. A classmate of mine has been a tech with a hospital for a number of years, and will need to leave after she earns her LPN, as they don't hire LPNs.

Actually, I'm getting my license in Michigan. There just aren't jobs in NW Ohio, and though I will face a commute, Michigan-even with it's economy-is known to have more nursing openings than here. There are a lot of LPN schools in NW Ohio. These schools are popping up with huge tuition charges and seem to be the best LPN-related business going on. I wish I could attend orientations and warn those students who are being misguided about the job opportunities for LPNs... very maddening, the situation.

Anyway, LPNs are strong and smart, but can only do so much in the face of what's happening to the profession. We've got to take our qualities and apply these to what works-apparently RN and beyond (I've heard a hospital here is requiring RNs to earn their BSN).

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It's so sad and devastating for me to hear about this. I realize now that I made the wrong choice doing the LPN program at CSCC. CSCC has eliminated the "bridge" program for us to continue on and become RN's and that just happened during the last 2 qtrs of my studies there. I had thought that graduation would be a happy time for me as this is a 2nd career for me and I have been working on classes part-time for over 3 years.I currently work as and STNA in LTC and that was really where my heart was - but even my co-workers state that LPN's will also be phased out in our faciity as well - the acuity level is higher than ever. Going on for an RN at this point seems unimaginable due to finances and having to find another school. Word has it that CSCC does not like to accept it's own LPN's for the RN program. I feel nothing but disheartened and as if I have done all of this hard work for nothing. I think Walmart is in my future. My prayers go out to everyone else facing this challenge and congratulations to all that had the foresight to pursue RN degrees.

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Specializes in ICU.

If anyone has heard of this happening in their area, please respond to this thread. And know that we're all in this together. And in my prayers.

The OhioHealth hospitals in Cols. did this a few years ago. LPN's are now working solely as techs & unit clerks. Such a waste.

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Specializes in phlebotomy certificate.

do any of you think i should hold of going to school to be a lpn, due to the economic times and the requirements that most facilities are going with mostly rn's only!!!???? i was considering doing the stna and then lpn? i really need a career and i am 32. i have always wanted to do this but can't afford to go for rn right now. any suggestions?

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do any of you think i should hold of going to school to be a lpn, due to the economic times and the requirements that most facilities are going with mostly rn's only!!!???? i was considering doing the stna and then lpn? i really need a career and i am 32. i have always wanted to do this but can't afford to go for rn right now. any suggestions?

You'd earn more working as a LPN than a STNA, so if you can't afford RN school now, then you could at least work as a LPN. This would open up LPN-RN programs to you. Hospitals are cutting back on staff for even RNs here in NW Ohio. Everyone is being affected, it seems, due to the economy mainly. Nursing not excluded. So, do what's best for you, and make sure that either way, you do eventually (and soon) get your RN.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs is quite pleased to hire LPNs- and there will be tuition reimbursemnt to pay for your RN after one year of service. There are multiple CBOCs (community based out patient clinics) opening throughout the state and several hospitals offeing acute care, geriatric, psychiatric, residential treatment, outpatient settings, community based home care....

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I should apologize to you all - I should not have sounded so glum with my first post - ultimately I got into this to "make a difference". I could have chosen other professions but I knew I would really enjoy working with people on this level. Yes it is hard work and yes we all deserve to be paid fairly for what we deal with on a daily basis -most people I know cringe when I tell them what I do in a typical day! - I can't possibly predict what the outcome of this economy will be, or what "they" will or will not do to the LPN profession, but I do know that had I not chosen to do this I would in fact be jobless now. So, at this point I do consider myself lucky and perhaps the RN path will not seem so daunting once I've had a few months break from school.

:hngon:

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