No More LPN programs

whattodo4 · Mar 28, 2012

I do wonder why the shift away from hiring lpns in a hospital setting? Was it sudden, gradual, is this phasing out just a "phase" and there will be a time when LPNs are hired again for hospital work?

Is it because the hospital work became more advanced and lpn schooling is simply too far behind?

The trend seems to be RN, then techs, CNA underneath. However LPNS can do more than techs and CNAs and therefore why are not the hospitals going RN, then LPN?

Is it just a matter of money and not so much "lpns don't know enough" rather the hospital can save $$ because we hire CNA/Techs instead of LPNs?

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2012

The LPN's in my area cannot push meds, initiate blood products, hang piggybacks into a central line, or do initial physical assessments. Of course, that varies from state to state, and each medical facility has it's own policies. I have to agree with you about the BSN program. I had the ADN first, then the BSN classes were a joke. The ADN prepared us for the bedside, and we had a lot of hand's on experience. But we also had lots of critical thinking and theory in the ADN class; they still take the same boards. Everybody can't be in management. There still has to be nurses at the bedside.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2012

I do wonder why the shift away from hiring lpns in a hospital setting?

It comes down to money. The economic situation in the U.S. is horrid at the present time. The facility where I work is hiring new grad RNs with BSN degrees at a lower pay rate than they have paid some of their experienced LPNs. They can get away with paying these lowball wages because there are so many unemployed new RNs in the local job market.

I suppose management feels like this: "Why pay $25 hourly to an LPN with 25 years of experience when we can hire new grad RNs with BSNs for $22 per hour?"

whattodo4 · Mar 29, 2012

ah so it is a money reason more than "Lpn education cannot keep up with today's hospital environment" . I guessed as much. Which makes me wonder if in the far distant future when climb out of the cespool that is the current US economy (man can dream) will they be bringing LPNS back into the hospital?

I guess it makes sense too, to hire CNAs to work under RNs than LPNs, yes lpns have a greater scope of practice but CNAs make more sense monetary wise.

JBaker77 · Apr 4, 2012

I am an LPN new grad and had planned on going back for my RN. Now I'm struggling with the decision to bridge to RN since no one will hire unless you have experience. If no one will hire me as an LPN with no experience, I'm afraid that I won't be hired as an RN without experience either. I'm worried to rack up more student loan debt only to be left in the same position. I'm sure there are others out there that feel the same way. It's very frustrating.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Apr 4, 2012

my states community colleges have stopped offering their lpn program. the asn is now the only option. i guess their reasoning was that there was only a 12-15 credit hour difference between the asn and lpn program. is this a trend anywhere else? are lpns being phased out?

looking at this situation and this situation alone i can see the rationale behind doing this and its not because of the changing role of the lpn or their employment opportunities persay.

it's a better use of resources for the college to merge the programs and only offer an rn one. they can take in more students for the rn program and possibly use less instructors and classroom space since its no longer 2 distinct course. community colleges are cash strapped right now. look at the pepper spraying that happened at smc last night. the college was stuck between a choice of canceling winter classes altogether or keeping it but offering the classes at what it actually costs to run the $180/unit vs $36