NY LPNs: How are you coping?

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Specializes in Hospital, PDN, rehab, corrections.

If you're from NY, you know what I'm talking about...

Here's a quote from one of my other posts for those of you who don'n know what we're facing here in NY:

"It IS happening here. I am from NY. They instituted the BSN law this year. Right now, they are debating whether to "grandfather" current associate RNs in, or give them ten years to get their BSN's, (or loose your license). Also, none of the hospitals are hiring LPNs because of the new state laws- GET THIS- we can no longer ASSESS patients. An RN has to co-sign the assessment, by law. So, the hospital is streamlining things for the RNs by taking assessment away from us entirely.

Just a few months ago, I was working in the most liberal department for LPNs to work in- the ER. There was very LITTLE that I was not allowed to do because of our clinical model. We essentially did the same job as the RNs, minus pushing IV meds. Slowly, they took things away from us: placing NG tubes, accessing PICC lines, assessing IV drips.. then... BOOM! As of this year, we can no longer have patient assignments. We are no longer able to be NURSES. LPN's are now "Nursing Adjuncts" and have essentially the same rols as a Nursing Technician, ( basically a CNA that can start IVs and place catheters).

So, in order to be a nurse again, (to do the job I've BEEN doing for years) I have to get my BS.

With the new laws, the only place for an LPN in NY is in the nursing homes. No offense to any of you nursing home nurses, but I became a nurse to get OUT of the nursing home. It takes a special person to do geriatrics, and I'm not it. I want action- imagine a seasoned ER nurse working in a nursing home. It's a waste of my training. What good are ACLS and TNCC certificates if everyone you're caring for has a DNR?

LPNs in NY State were previously motivated to get their RN to gain the esteem of their colleagues and no longer be "just LPNs". Now we're going back to school just to get our jobs back! We're very vulnerable now- since we've been demoted we are now overpaid aides and can be replaced by someone who makes half as much.

Bottom line? LPNs and Associate RNs are being phased out of NY State. The State DOH wants a BSN at every bedside."

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

I live in NY and have not heard this....And I currently work in a state-ran institution. I don't think they have any choice BUT to grandfather in Assoc. Degree nurses, IF they were to change the requirement for RNs. They would sure lose a heck of a lot of nurses. Hospitals would be closing left and right. It seems way out there to me. They would almost have to grandfather Assoc. Degrees and give ample warning of the future requirements effective date. I think LPNs and Assoc. Degree RNs are safe.

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"Registered Professional Nursing

You must hold at least a two-year degree or diploma from a program in general professional nursing that is acceptable to the Department and is:

1. registered by the New York State Education Department or

2. approved by the licensing authority or appropriate governmental agency in the jurisdiction where the school is located as preparation for practice as a registered professional nurse."

copied from NY board of Nursing. Nothing about a BSN that I see.

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Specializes in ER, PACU.

I live in NY too, and I was an LPN before I was an RN as well. From what I have been hearing (which I cant confirm is true, just going by hearsay), is that they want to phase out the ADN programs by a certain year, but this wouldnt effect nurses who are already licensed. I have noticed that the hospitals are not hiring LPN's as much as they used to, I was unable to find a job in a hospital when I was an LPN, I went to work at a nursing home. The part about assessment is not new, that was always the "rule". LPN's are not "allowed" to assess, that is the role of the RN. I am NOT saying that LPN's cant assess, I am just saying that legally they are not allowed to do it. (I sure as hell know that I assessed plenty of patients when I was an LPN!)

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Specializes in Hospital, PDN, rehab, corrections.

This applies Acute-care LPNs. The few and far-between. I work in the Emergency Room and was the first LPN ever hired to that departmet. I worked HARD to earn the respect of my RN counterparts. Now, all that work has been flushed down the drain by JCAHO and the NYSDOH. :banghead:

The changes have no bearing on nursing home nurses- because they aren't allowed to do much, anyway. I don't think the changes apply to non-acute nurses, either. Many hospitals are going to team-nursing on acute floors, or booting their LPNs off them.

What I mean by "phasing out" is that the new laws make LPNs an undesireable burden- why hire an LPN who has to have their assessments co-signed, and their IV meds given for them, when you can just hire an RN? If you were an RN, would you want to sign off on an assessment you did not do? No. They complain enough about having to push meds that cannot be piggy-backed in NS. Now we've become an even bigger burden for them to complain about again.

We just heard about the changes last week- our hospital is currently non-complient, as are many local hospitals, because they just don't know what to do with us, short of firing us all. My hospital's solution was to make us all aides, to solve the aide shortage. We keep out pay rate, but are no longer nurses. :angryfire

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I feel for your situation...I have been an LPN for 10 years and also see them being phased out in parts of the country in the acute care setting. Turn your anger into a positive solution like going back to school to attain your ADN. That is what I did! I have a small daughter that I did not want in daycare so I opted the Excelsior college route. I have just completed all the course work and CPNE. I plan to start work on the BSN program at my local university this summer (they accept EC credits). One bit at a time and I will get my BSN. It is not easy but my goal keeps me going. Start classes or just positively learn to deal with it are your options. Unfortunately, your choices seem three--1)go for the higher degree 2)adjust to the changes positively 3)change settings or careers. I know that sounds harsh but that is how I narrowed my decision down. Maybe try a different area of nursing--but avoid getting bogged down with resentment--it's outcome are never usually positive. Turn it around, put a spin on it by empowering yourself!

Karen

This applies Acute-care LPNs. The few and far-between. I work in the Emergency Room and was the first LPN ever hired to that departmet. I worked HARD to earn the respect of my RN counterparts. Now, all that work has been flushed down the drain by JCAHO and the NYSDOH. :banghead:

The changes have no bearing on nursing home nurses- because they aren't allowed to do much, anyway. I don't think the changes apply to non-acute nurses, either. Many hospitals are going to team-nursing on acute floors, or booting their LPNs off them.

What I mean by "phasing out" is that the new laws make LPNs an undesireable burden- why hire an LPN who has to have their assessments co-signed, and their IV meds given for them, when you can just hire an RN? If you were an RN, would you want to sign off on an assessment you did not do? No. They complain enough about having to push meds that cannot be piggy-backed in NS. Now we've become an even bigger burden for them to complain about again.

We just heard about the changes last week- our hospital is currently non-complient, as are many local hospitals, because they just don't know what to do with us, short of firing us all. My hospital's solution was to make us all aides, to solve the aide shortage. We keep out pay rate, but are no longer nurses. :angryfire

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Wait, what is this "BSN Law"??? I'm in NY and am about to start applying to get my ADN. Is this a waste of my time now???

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Specializes in CTSICU, SICU, MICU, CCU, Trauma.
Wait, what is this "BSN Law"??? I'm in NY and am about to start applying to get my ADN. Is this a waste of my time now???

I was trying to search this site to look for the news item that was posted awhile back re: the BSN requirement in NYS but couldn't find it right now.

Anyway, it is true that the state of NY is going to go BSN as the minimum requirement for sitting for your license. Those with AD or Diplomas will be grandfathered in and those completing current programs will have 10 years to get a BSN.

REALLY........this is not a big issue.

If you are using the AD or Diploma route to obtain your RN that just means you'll have to continue your journey to more education. In today's nursing education structure this is not such a big deal! There are plenty of online programs and there are also BSN to MSN programs offered. Take it from someone who took the VERY long route........I was a 3 year Diploma grad that also came with an AAS degree via the community college. (1977) THEN, because there weren't any online programs and very few BSN programs that would accept me as a transfer student........I spent the next 6 years finishing up a BSN.

NOW......I see grads from my same diploma school going to a local state school and getting the BSN to MSN degree in less than 3 years.

It's a good way to go if you don't want alot of school loans, or you're older, etc. I just spent the past 4 years doing a MSN program just because I still have another 17 years or so to work and need to keep current with degree requirements. That's the nature of being a professional. Nobody said it would be easy......you have to become a lifetime learner or you will just become outdated!

Good luck!

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Yeah, but what's going to happen to all the ADN programs? When will they be phased out? I'm trying to start and complete my ADN within the next 3 years (I have to go part time and waiting list/pre req issues). I'm worries.

Better question, who is the authority on this legislation? How can I reasearch this and find out the facts? Thanks.

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Specializes in Hospital, PDN, rehab, corrections.

Mmh, good question. I couldn't find anything on the NYSDOH web site about it. The local community college is keeping the nursing program, but you have to transfer out to a four-year school to finish it. They are making arrangents with some local colleges to streamline the transfer. Several LPNs I work with are just going the Excelcior route.

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Specializes in CTSICU, SICU, MICU, CCU, Trauma.
Mmh, good question. I couldn't find anything on the NYSDOH web site about it. The local community college is keeping the nursing program, but you have to transfer out to a four-year school to finish it. They are making arrangents with some local colleges to streamline the transfer. Several LPNs I work with are just going the Excelcior route.

Try this site: and search thru the links......I'm sure that they have something about the plans for BSN in NYS. http://www.op.nysed.gov/nursing.htm

(You're going to have to copy/paste this link because I don't know how to transfer links over.....sorry.)

Anyway, I really don't see the big deal about just continuing on after a AD. Financially it works well because you get to work as an RN and just chip away at whatever BSN requirements you need to have that requirement. Russell Sage College in Troy NY offers programs where you could continue on and with just a little more effort you could finish up withh a MSN and be done with it. Good luck!

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Specializes in ER.

I live in NY, but work in MA.

However, I can tell you this much about the NY BSN thing:

It is a proposal by the Board of Nursing that was sent to the State Legislature. The Legislature must act on it to become law.

The following was included:

- For 10 years, the ADN would be an RN.

- If a BSN was not obtained in the 10 year period, the ADN would become an LPN.

- Current licensees were exempt from the requirement.

Chip

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