LPNs still in demand?

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Hey everyone!

I got accepted into an LPN program starting this November. I heard LPNs are being "phased out"... do you think this is true? If I pursue practical nursing.. will I be able to get a job in a year when I graduate?? Are LPNs still an in demand career?

(I live in the Portland Oregon area)

thanks!

They freaking better be. I hope to God and Jesus and the holy Ghost that I will be graduating in May! School is beating me up and it better be worth it. It's a 18 month program and I thought LPN would be the not so hard route and then I could get experience and then try for RN...but it's frickin hard....and stressful....and I'm all like Stress overload RT Nursing School, test, clinicals AEB crying excessively. :arghh::cry:

But to be honest, I'm not sure I would have made it through RN school if I started out there. The LPN program is at a little community college and I get a lot of experience and my instructor has time for a lot of one on one. I will be more prepared if later I decide to move on to RN. But in my little town (that I don't plan on staying in) LPNs are in demand because it's hard to keep Rns because it's understaff and they are underpaid.

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Specializes in Pediactric.

In SOCAL, many hospitals don't hire LVN's anymore.

I'm in an RN program and have clinicals in many magnet hospitals, I always ask if they hire LVN's because I would like to apply.... everyone says no =/ every other state may be nicer towards LVN's, i don't know.

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The hospitals in my area are actually in the process of phasing LPNs back IN after getting rid of them all a few years ago. LPNs here work in all other areas of healthcare as well.

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Yes we LPN are phased out at hospitals because ONLY high acuity patients are in the hospital. Those needing IV meds and 3 lines into that IV via central lines, Stem cell Transplants, Cardiac monitoring and Procedure Follow Care that we were not trained for.Hospitals discharge patients for Homecare ASAP. Or to SNF and/or Rehab facilities. When I started LPN nsg in 1980, we had these rehab or medically stable pts in the hospital But expenses of keeping pts in hospital is just too high. Thru the DRGs in 1984 ish things changed. NOW in 2016, only fragile pts need be in the hospital. Trust me, I am an LPN since 1980. RN's are needed for these pts. YES we can do and do some of care once only done by RNs, but 'the times are a changin'.We now do IVs, start IVs , access central lines-in some states. Now we can care for vent pts without RN, change mickey buttons and so much more. Work in Home Health Care, they're always hiring. If no experience work SNF and you'll learn alot. Out patient clinics at major hospitals are hiring. Never reject or shy away from new procedures or complicated pts- that's how you learn. Good Luck. Been nursing for 33 years and still thrive to learn something new everyday.

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Specializes in Wound Care, Education, Mental Health.

I hear this all the time, but I have yet to be without a job. I am teaching now and I make pretty good as a LPN. I teach PCTs. I enjoy it and I don't have to work nights nor weekends. Most holidays I have off.

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