Magnet hospitals weeding out LVN's?

[surgeryrn]

Our hospital is gearing up for applying for magnet. We have started our nursing councils. My major concern is that several Texas hospitals are firing the LVN's or demoting them or weeding them out. Is this normal should my coworkers be concerned? I am an RN, but I work with some very wonderful LVN's with great experience I'd hate to lose them and of course they are starting to feel anxious. Recently they also upped the RN's diff's, but the

LVN's are not being offered an increase???? Makes one wonder what may be up soon..........

[Heather, R.N.]

I think the current LVN's should be grandfathered in. How sad to think someone could lose their hard-earned career over that.

[RGN1]

We lost our LVN/LPN equivalent training, & subsequently nurses, in the UK some 15ish years ago. I still think that was a big mistake. It puts extra pressure on the RNs & now the health care assistants are kinda being put into the breach with very basic training. IT's not good. I hope it doesn't happen.

Most ENs (enrolled nurses) were able to do a conversion course, if they wanted to, but many of them really just liked doing what they did. Sad I think.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Hospitals that wish to apply for magnet status must first do something with their current LVNs to weed them out. Many hospitals have demoted the LVNs to doing CNA stuff such as baths and basic hygienic care, while others get rid of the LVNs more blatantly. Some hospitals wait for LVNs to quit or retire and then fill the empty spots with RNs until the nursing staff gradually becomes all-RN.

And, yes, this process is normal for hospitals who want magnet status.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

That's weird; our hospital didn't do anything about our LPNs. We still have plenty and I'm glad of it. They're very valuable members of our teams.

Oh and BTW, we got Magnet status.