Phasing out LPN

[YourFuture22]

I want to be a LPN but do y'all think they are ever going to phase out LPN?  I have no desire of being a Registered nurse. 

[RNBearColumbus, BSN]

No, they are not going to phase out LPNs any time soon.  While there may not be many hospital jobs for LPNs, they are still a huge part of the workforce in long term care and skilled nursing. People have been saying for YEARS that LPNs are going away, but it hasn't happened yet, and there are no signs of it happening. If you want to pursue a LPN certificate, I say go ahead. 

However, I'm curious as to why you say you don't want to be an RN. As a LPN, your scope of practice and opportunities for jobs will be limited. As a RN, you will have many more opportunities.  Never say never. Once you have that LPN behind your name, you can work and pursue an associates degree in nursing to become a RN.  

[caliotter3]

Fifty years ago phasing out LPN/LVNs was discussed. So far that has not happened. However, as previously stated, you will have greater opportunity as an RN, so don’t slam that door shut just yet.

[Archerlpvn, LPN, LVN]

No they will not completely phase out LPNs. Some hospital positions to exist depending on the part of the country youre in. We work in nursing homes, Rehabs, jails and prisons, doctors offices/Clinics of all specialities, home health both visits and private duty and more ? 

[sandlpn1]

I remember being told this back in nursing school. “Get your RN because LPNs will be phased out.” Fortunately after almost 30 years as an LPN I work in a wonderful office with amazing Internal Medicine/Pediatric physicians. I am happy and have learned so much. We are true nurses and are our skills are needed. 

[HazelLPN, LPN]

I became an LPN because in my day, an LPN was a nurse who took care of the patient without having to worry about any administrative roles.  In those days,  an LPN could work anywhere in the hospital ...and we all trained in the hospital. These days, opportunities for LPNs are often limited to LTC and ambulatory settings. Neither of these jobs would have ever appealed to me...and I would rather go into a non nursing area than serve in these roles. No disrespect to the nurses who work there...I was good with one or two very sick patients that I could focus on....I couldn't do a med pass for 20 patients...I would lose my license by the end of the shift. Getting your RN will give you the most opportunities and you never know what you might like to do later on in life. In my case, I think I would have done well in my middle years  as a CRNA or a certified school RN in my Indian Summer.  I have no regrets because I had a great career as an LPN, but if I were young again I wouldn't become an LPN in this day and age...I would get a BSN straight out of high school. That's what I tell all young people who are interested in nursing. I also point out that it not not make them any better than the veteran LPN they work alongside.  Many made that mistake working with me, but they rued the day they did.

 

Best to you,

Mrs H.

[Mintezia]

I highly doubt it, especially with home health agencies. If the home health agencies did try to replace LPNs with RNs one of a few things will happen. 

1. Costs to operate will skyrocket making home health unprofitable

2. RNs will either have to accept lower pay or shorter hours

They can't find enough nurses, RN or LPN. And with exodus out of certain cities certain places will probably have severe shortages. I'm noticing some positions opening up to LPNs that used to be RN only. 

Even certain hospitals are hiring LPNs now (I've looked on Indeed and noticed this) The turnover rate is relatively high as well. There's a lot of things contributing to the shortage but I don't see how LPNs can be completely eliminated especially with rising healthcare costs.

[bubbaslump, LPN]

I’m an LPN and I work in long term care. I’m content with long term care (most days LOL) but I’ve noticed that hospitals in my area are posting more and more lpn jobs by the week. As long as there’s a nursing shortage there will be lpn jobs everywhere. 

[T-Bird78]

No, they’re not phasing out LPNs, despite what you may or may not have heard. Yes, RNs have more opportunities than LPNs, but I’m also sticking with LPN. Most LPN jobs are in outpatient settings, and I’d rather have my evenings, weekends, and holidays off to be with my family; most RN jobs are in a hospital setting. The only drawback I’ve found is trying to get a job outside of direct hands-on pt care. All those jobs require an RN in my area (clinical services, nurse educator, nurse navigator, etc.) so I’m stuck.