LPNs and the nursing shortage

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/541297_print

Licensed Practical Nurses May Be Able to Fill Gap in the Nursing Shortage

Laurie Barclay, MD

Medscape Medical News 2006. © 2006 Medscape

July 20, 2006 — Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) may be able to fill the gap in the nursing shortage, according to the results of a study reported in the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing.

"LPNs may be able to help fill some of the gaps caused by the nursing shortage, but little research has been conducted on the demographic characteristics of LPNs, their education and scope of practice, and the demand for their services, all of which vary from state to state," write Jean Ann Seago, PhD, RN, from the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues.

In 2002 and 2003, the authors conducted a comprehensive national study, Supply, Demand, and Use of Licensed Practical Nurses, which showed that RNs and LPNs are similar in age and tend to have similar numbers of children. However, racial and ethnic minorities, particularly African Americans, and those who are single, widowed, divorced, or separated are better represented among LPNs.

"Expanding LPN educational programs could draw more people into nursing," the authors write. "Some LPNs would like to become RNs, so expanding LPN to RN 'ladder' programs could also be beneficial. Although LPNs are unable to replace RNs entirely, they could perform much of the work now performed by RNs."

Long-term care facilities already depend heavily on LPNs, but the authors suggest that hospitals could benefit from employing more LPNs, and they make several specific policy recommendations to improve the education and employment of LPNs.

Usually LPNs obtain a license after 12 to 18 months of postsecondary education compared with the 2 to 4 years of education RNs complete before licensure. While responsibilities and scopes of practice vary substantially by state, LPNs usually work under the supervision of an RN or a physician. Their responsibilities typically include basic hygienic and nursing care, measurement of vital signs, and administration of prescribed nonintravenous medications. In some states, LPNs can administer intravenous fluids absent medication, and they can withdraw blood.

Because new LPNs are drawn from a different demographic pool than are RNs, expanding LPN education can recruit a more diverse group of people into the nursing profession. In turn, LPN-to-RN programs can help LPNs advance into RN jobs.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i have been saying this all along. how come there is so much push to get people into generic nursing programs; when there are many lvn's that strongly desire to become rn's but cannot get a spot in a program. increase opportunities for lvn's to advance and these gaps will fill in. this is just common sense and i cant figure out why this has been overlooked for so long.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I do think it is horrible that a seasoned LPN has to fight like the dickens to get accepted into an RN program. If it were not for on line courses such as Excelsior, there would not be a chance in hell for many of them. But, because there is a dangerous shortage in nurses in general, we CAN fill the gaps...not completely, but, we can take on more of the bedside care while the RN has to do the rest, and still give holistic care, because it is a TEAM. I think that we should be monetarily compensated for our efforts to fill the gaps, now.

It is horrible that LTC devalues their patients as well as the dedicated LPNs that work trying to serve them with such high ratios. I would find it to be impossible to be able to keep a clear conscience at night, because I know I would be neglectful because I would be too overwhelmed. There is enough food for everyone at the table of nursing to eat and I don't think we should be disregarded.

[MAmom81]

That s an excellent & powerful article & it is about time some one finally spoke up about LPN's & told the truth. I strongly agree with the article & pagandeva2000. Hopefully this article will wake the medical copmmunity up & LPN's will have even more respect & opportunities. Thanks TheCommuter for this very wonderful article.

[Lexxie, LPN]

If it were not for on line courses such as Excelsior, there would not be a chance in hell for many of them.

Amen to that! I chose to go through Excelsior for my ADN largely d/t the fact that I can do it on my terms - ie: in as little or as much time as I need. I had eighteen months of just every other weekend with my kids while I went for my LPN. Did not want to do it again, and longer, for my RN, especially since they're entering those all-important teen years.

The Magnet hospital in my area stopped hiring LPNs around 2004. It's been said that these things are cyclic - RNs only to a mix of RNs/LPNs... still waiting for that cycle to change! Maybe this article will be a step in that direction! Well, maybe not, but I can dream, right?? hehe

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

If only the hospitals in my area would read this article. I can look at many of the local hospitals with 20+ open positions for RNs, but not a single one for LPNs. What sense does that make? Running super short staffed is better than having an LPN? Its outrageous!