No more LPNs -- oh really?

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We've all seen lots of posts that we are going to be eliminated. Well, just now, cruising around the UMDNJ web site (University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ) I found a boatload of LPN positions. Now granted, lots of them are in the correctional setting, but THEY ARE THERE! So, while we hear lots of negatives, there are facilities out there wanting to hire us. The last time I checked the website, there were NO LPN jobs. Now, there are many. I don't think we are going anywhere anytime soon!:yeah:

LPNs are going nowhere! LPNs are a vital part of the healthcare community and where LPNs can safely be used, you can be sure they will be....to save money, according to staffing agencies and management. It is actually easier in some places to find LPN assignments than RN assignments.

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I have a funny one for you today. Will LPNs be phased out by CNA's? I only asked because today in school (my LPN school) there was a CNA in my class who said "Im basically an LPN without a liscense." Never has to study for exams and already knows all this stuff. Must be nice, LOL.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.
I have a funny one for you today. Will LPNs be phased out by CNA's? I only asked because today in school (my LPN school) there was a CNA in my class who said "Im basically an LPN without a liscense." Never has to study for exams and already knows all this stuff. Must be nice, LOL.

:yeah::D Sounds like me doing DIY projects. I'm basically a carpenter, plumber, electrician - I just don't have a license. I hope this CNA does better work than I do. :D

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Specializes in LTC.
I have a funny one for you today. Will LPNs be phased out by CNA's? I only asked because today in school (my LPN school) there was a CNA in my class who said "Im basically an LPN without a liscense." Never has to study for exams and already knows all this stuff. Must be nice, LOL.

Here in Portland that seems to partially be the case, actually. In OR we have CNA II's who, after 6 months regular CNA experience and some additional training, are able to DC Foleys, check blood sugars, flush G-tubes, and clean trach sites and do dressing changes. Hospitals are utlizing them to do those nursing tasks and since I moved here 5 years ago, none of the area hospitals hire LPNs (except the VA which of course operates under a different set of guidelines). I'm waiting for the day when a complication arises when one of those tasks are done without the assessment skills to go along with it and something REALLY BAD happens.

On a side note, hospitals here are also moving toward requiring BSNs for floor nurses, which discourages me to go on for my RN as I just hate the thought of more school. Portland is an awesome city, but if my entire family did not live here I would seriously consider heading to Reno!

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Wow thats crazy I actually did my LPN schooling in Portland 2 years ago and at that time there was talk of CNA 2 but I didn't know how much they could actually do! Its insane considering my job won't allow CNA's to even touch the G-tube machine! I think this is a backwards step for Oregon because it doesn't create jobs it actually gets rid of them. Do you have your Washington license as well? I know a couple of friends who went ahead and got their WA licenses as well.

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So now there are CNA2? I think I have heard of them before but I dont think we have them in our state. Does anyone see a pattern here? Allow more tasks to be handled by people who can be payed less. The job market keeps getting squeezed gradually so you need to keep spending more time/money on school to earn a decent living.

What do you think is going on here? Are CNA and medical assistants squeezing nurses out at the bottom of the payscale and the BSN squeezing them out at the top of the payscale? That would almost make sense considering where this country has been headed the last 10 years. You are either going to be a bottom feeder or a top feeder and everyone in the middle is out.

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MsVegasLPN I am so glad I came across your message. I am consdering taking a job offer at a methadone clinic. I am a new grad and this will be my first job. The supervisor told me it was a wonderful job that was very flexible. I want to go back to get my RN next year--do u think working at the clinic would be pheasable while going to school? Also, being as this would be my first job I was worried I would "loose" what I learned at school not going to LTC...she told me I would still be assessing..just in a different way and different context..they offered to start me at 20.00an hr..should I consider this job as my first job in your opinion? or is LTC more appropriate for a new grad?? any answers would be helpful..I am supposed to let her know if I am intersted tomorrow so I hope you find my message soon! Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC.
MsVegasLPN I am so glad I came across your message. I am consdering taking a job offer at a methadone clinic. I am a new grad and this will be my first job. The supervisor told me it was a wonderful job that was very flexible. I want to go back to get my RN next year--do u think working at the clinic would be pheasable while going to school? Also, being as this would be my first job I was worried I would "loose" what I learned at school not going to LTC...she told me I would still be assessing..just in a different way and different context..they offered to start me at 20.00an hr..should I consider this job as my first job in your opinion? or is LTC more appropriate for a new grad?? any answers would be helpful..I am supposed to let her know if I am intersted tomorrow so I hope you find my message soon! Thanks!

Sounds like an awesome opportunity to me. I did methadone dispensing very briefly but the pay was only $15 and hour (and the average here in Portland is $23). It's a lot less hectic than LTR, but most clinics open at 5 am so the hours will be very early. Still, would be a good fit if you are going to RN school at the same time.

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Specializes in LTC.
Wow thats crazy I actually did my LPN schooling in Portland 2 years ago and at that time there was talk of CNA 2 but I didn't know how much they could actually do! Its insane considering my job won't allow CNA's to even touch the G-tube machine! I think this is a backwards step for Oregon because it doesn't create jobs it actually gets rid of them. Do you have your Washington license as well? I know a couple of friends who went ahead and got their WA licenses as well.

I thought about getting my WA license but after working with med aides for the last five years, I'm too spoiled to do med pass! :lol2:

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Specializes in LTC.
ok ok.....i know this is an old post....but i had to reply.......first of all there are alot of lpn jobs here in the las vegas valley...both in hospitals, LTC, SNF, outpatient clinics.....im a new lpn and i am making 20 an hour at a outpatient behavioral health clinic....there were 37 people in my class....all working...all making over 20 an hour....i have friends living in mississippi as lpns and they are also making 20 hr or more...

and as for just passing out med cups as a meth dose nurse...thats not the case....we have to evaluate the patient to see if they are able to receive the dose.....do patient teachings.....do labs.....follow up on our pregnant patients.....participate in treatments teams.....there is alot more to meth clinic nurses than you think...so get ur facts straight.

Wow I'm SO tempted to move to NV after reading your post! :lol2:

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thank you so much for your comment. This is so stressful trying to figure out which path to go down..I failed to mention that I have an interview on tuesday at a very reputable facility LTC. I really wish I could see their offer prior to deciding on this one. ahh!

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Specializes in LTC.
thank you so much for your comment. This is so stressful trying to figure out which path to go down..I failed to mention that I have an interview on tuesday at a very reputable facility LTC. I really wish I could see their offer prior to deciding on this one. ahh!

Well, I think like others have posted, go ahead and accept the clinic job; jobs are not falling from trees these days. If the LTR makes you an offer down the road, you can cross that bridge when you get to it, or like you mentioned, maybe work something out where you work part time for each job. Either way, you should be very happy that you already have an offer and possible another in this market. :)

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