No more LPNs?

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I have been hearing here lately that LPN positions are being eliminated and being replaced with RN positions only. How much of this is true, and if so what is the rationale? Just wanted your thougts?

Specializes in School Nursing.

the powers that be have been saying this for 40 years now. it just is not going to happen. they keep churning them out of schools as we speak. lpn's will be around for a long time to come in my estimation !

praiser

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Specializes in EMS, ER.
In my area, upstate NY, LPNs are still in high demand at hospitals and LTC. LPNs have been being phased out since the 70's. It will not happen unless we get a whole lot of RNs out in the workforce.

It depends on the facility and state on whether or not you see LPNs in the hospital settings.

The economy could either cause LPNs to not be hired as much in acute because more RNs will return to work OR it could cause LPNs to be hired more, because they can do most of the work for less. They facility could hire less RNs to do the work that LPNs are not allowed to do.

Like kcochrane said, it seems around here that LPN's are in high demand due to the fact that they can do most of the work for less. Case in point, our local hospital has lost several RN's due to attrition and have not replaced them, they have however replaced several LPN's, the nursing staff on the med/surg floor is now more LPN than RN. My take: it is a money saving measure since LPN's make quite a bit less than RN's..... Therefore I don't foresee LPN's being phased out anytime soon.

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Could some give em a definition for ALF and LVN? I think that LVN and LPN are the same thing but I want to know what the letters stand for.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
Could some give em a definition for ALF and LVN? I think that LVN and LPN are the same thing but I want to know what the letters stand for.

ALF: assisted living facility

LPN: licensed practical nurse

LVN: licensed vocational nurse

LPN and LVN are interchangable, i think the states that use the LVN title are texas and california.

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ALF: assisted living facility

LPN: licensed practical nurse

LVN: licensed vocational nurse

LPN and LVN are interchangable, i think the states that use the LVN title are texas and california.

U R absolutely correct.:coollook:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I continue to hear this ominous threat occasionally. Maybe it is because I am happy as an LPN, but it bothers me because it seems that some people really don't want for LPNs to flourish in their careers.

I have seen the pendulum swing from one side of the fence to the other..."We need RNs" to "We have to use LPNs because we can't afford too many RNs". Then, temporarily, they either expand the LPN role/scope without monetary compensation, or make them fall back into line. I doubt if this would be a permanent situation, even if it were true.

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Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.

I haven't read all of the replies to this post so I'm not sure whether or not this was previously mentioned but LPN's are still being hired here in NC...Especially at the prison camps and LTCF's but either way experience is experience!

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Specializes in LTC.
I was just lucky...landed an interview and was hired on the spot. I am thankful for all the experience I have gained. I just work postpartum...only RNs are hired for labor and delivery.

Congratulations.

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This seems to run in cycles. Years ago a hospital I worked in tried going to an all rn staff. At that time it did not work and lpns were hired again. My view is that the goal of an lpn should be to get an rn as soon as he/she can anyway. Lpns are used in ltc and dr offices so there is definitely a place for them even if it is not hospitals.

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I can't imagine medicaid/medicare paying for ALL RN's in a LTC facility. That just doesn't make sense financially when LPN's can do much of the same things- they have a hard enough time paying them as it is! I also know a lot of doctor's offices hire LPN's and MA's (unless it's a specialized area like plastic surgery, OB or oncology ect..).

The above post says it all - pay for LVN vs RN in LTC. I have seen high end LTC facilities (other than the DON)RNs are weekend only. Several hospitals in my area hire RNs only - but in the Rehab facilities there are several LVNs.

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