LVNs being phased out?

I read this in another topic, "LVN's are being phased out. Major hospitals just want RNs."

I don't mean to cause controversy or anything, but is this entirely true? And if so, why is that?

[Woodenpug, BSN]

Fewer and fewer LVN/LPN's seem to be working in acute care. I believe this is because they are required to have RN supervision. The same tasks can (N.B. not should) be preformed by UAP's. That makes the LVN legally not much different from a hospital trained UAP. However, because of the higher skill, the LVN is much more expensive.

In CA, the staffing law also contributes to fewer LVN positions in acute care. For example staff cannot be more than 50% LVN, LVN's cannot be "float" nurse in surgery.

Anyway, that is just opinion, others may see it differently. I regret the loss of LVN's in the acute care setting.

[suzanne4, RN]

This has been going on for sometime, it is not anything new. It also depends on the part of the state that you are located in.

The Bay Area has not hired LVNs for the hospital setting in quite some time for the hospital setting.

With the advent of the ratio laws, it is more cost effective much of the time to just go with RNs.

Much has already been written on this subject, just take the time to do some reading here.

[mavlvn]

This wont last long, they tried this in the 80's. Hospitals went bankrupt.

I give it a few more years. LVN's can do alot. They should be utilized.

I have been very fortunate.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

I believe there will be a surplus of LVNs here in the US due to the fact that most of the grads will be using LVN schooling as a stepping stone into the RN program since most of them have been rejected. Really that's what a lot of LVN students are doing. All the LVN students at my school will be applying to the RN program once it's completed. I've heard that even LVN schools are having an impaction problem.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

The same tasks can (N.B. not should) be preformed by UAP's. That makes the LVN legally not much different from a hospital trained UAP.

I beg your pardon? Except for hanging blood, IV push, and initial assessments, there isn't much the LV/PN can't do.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I read this in another topic, "LVN's are being phased out. Major hospitals just want RNs."

I don't mean to cause controversy or anything, but is this entirely true? And if so, why is that?

While it is partially true that many California hospitals have been trending away from the practice of hiring LVNs, keep in consideration that LVNs are not being phased out of other settings (nursing homes, home health agencies, clinics, prisons, group homes, etc). You might become disappointed if your heart is set on getting into a hospital specialty, because it might not happen.

[lvnblackwhitepink]

IM from TEXAS, i graduated LPN/LVN, in dec 2007 and all 65 of my friends have slowly but surely found out that for the time being lvns are still in some hospitals in the houston area but paid 14-15 and hour, which is not good enough, so in that aspect they are being phased out of the hospital setting

however

where lvns are in abundance is in skilled nursing and rehab centers, (this is where the patient goes after the hospital, step down from hospital, even thought most are still as sick) they love LVNS/LPNS,oooh and CNAS/MEDAIDS, (oh yeah when a nurse calls off---they legally can assist you to pass out some meds) (((wink wink good for the company))) they pay them more than hospital which is good 18-21, however at a cost you have a terrible patient nurse ratio 20-1 at night may 35-40 to one because apparently at night these people require less care and you morph in to supernurse by night, they dont forget the RN either , these facilities by law are required to have ONE RN in the building at all times, for every one RN there are 10-15 lvns, least to say its cheaper for the company to do these, work the lvns like slaves and still be within legal limit, not to much rns stay to long, but the lvns have no other choice especially the ones who have been there for a long time

so i see new facilities just like this popping up theres one about to open in front of where i work, i think this is the future of where healthcare might be going.....hospitals with rn.....lvn in snf/LTAC,

OH YEAH

NNOC fights for RN rights to combat these terrible staffing conditions where they want ratios of 5:1 ( patient to nurse) for rehab and LTAC settings , but not for LVNS...that sucks... even more....

[Thankful RN,BSN]

the hospital where i work, will not hire lpn's.

[lpn2icu]

I read this in another topic, "LVN's are being phased out. Major hospitals just want RNs."

I don't mean to cause controversy or anything, but is this entirely true? And if so, why is that?

Being phased out in an acute care setting..But not in long-term care ,ambulatory care and renal care setting!:typing