Phasing out LPNs/LVNs?

nurseinmo · Apr 4, 2005

I currently work in a long-term state operated facility and basically all we LPN's do is pass meds. We are alowed to give injections when they are ordered and we do run the floor in absence of the RN, but mostly we pass meds. At the local city hospital they tried to phase out the LPN's about 2 years ago and I think the realized that they were making a big mistake and have since changed their ways and now have LPN's working in virtually every department except the ED. I have heard that this is soon to be nationwide, to try and phase out the LPN's but who knows all we can do is roll with the punches!

live4today, RN · Apr 5, 2005

I think this is very sad news, and hospitals are cutting off a very valuable resource of nurses for patient care. I hope this does not come to pass.

brudjazz · Apr 7, 2005

This is all pure corporate BULLSHIT and greediness on the part of those ****ers sitting in meetings all day, with $1 million dollar salaries. What do they really envision happening? Robots taking care of patients by the year 2025? :angryfire

rnmi2004 · Apr 7, 2005

Both of the hospitals in my area did this recently. One semester, I was doing my clinicals with an LPN as the pt's main caregiver; within a few months the LPNs were being used in aide roles only, and that's if they were planning on getting their RN. Otherwise, they were all let go. I am working at one of the hospitals now, & there are RN's & aides.

My neighbor works at a NH, & she said they recently hired quite a few LPN's from the area hospitals. I agree with cheerfuldoer; the hospitals are throwing away a valuable resource.

mattsmom81 · Apr 7, 2005

The deskilling and phaseout of LPN's is a real phenom in many areas of the country today. Personally I think it is sad. If facilities had a REAL concern over a 'nursing shortage', one would think this would not occur. I only pray the result will NOT be RN's supervising huge numbers of UAP's...the RN shoulders tremendous liability in this case.

I'll work with another nurse anytime, but I will not work this way personally.

NoCrumping · Apr 7, 2005

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I just want to know, is this unique to my hospital, or are changes like this going on in other places? What role do LPN/LVNs have where you work?

Yes, all the hospitals in my area have been doing this for years now. They wont hire LPN's, but the few that are there, and have been for a long time, are "grandfathered" in. However, they are common in md's offices and clinics where I live. But under no circumstances, here, are they allowed to care for children, and the grandfather clause does not apply to that area.

NoCrumping · Apr 7, 2005

I think this is very sad news, and hospitals are cutting off a very valuable resource of nurses for patient care. I hope this does not come to pass.

Well, personally, and I realize this is another topic, I think there should be either you are an RN, or you are a tech/aid etc. I think the LPNs should either go to school to get their RN, or have their titles become aids/techs etc. I know, I will be flamed for this one. But, I honestly think there should be one set of credentials for "nurse", and that is a Registered Nurse. LPN's had their time when they were very valuable to healthcare, and they still are... but as todays patients acuities are getting higher, I think this is the way to go.Like it or not, RN's are considered the professionals of the nursing field, and I think patients deserve to be treated by professionals, considering the high cost of healthcare these days. Now dont get me wrong, there are tons of very intelligent and competent LPNs out there who know their stuff...... but ..... in this day and age, you need the credentials.That way, there will be no more of that "oh, you are a nurse, are you a RN or a LPN?" junk. You work your butt off, get the title and respect you deserve!!! But in all actuality, its the BON's and all the powers that be that allow this debate to happen.

There should be a minimum requirement for a "nurse"........RN.

GN1974 · Apr 7, 2005

LPN's had their time when they were very valuable to healthcare, and they still are... but as todays patients acuities are getting higher

how can you say they are still valuable but need to be done away with in the same breath? I understand what you are saying about acuity and agree to a certain extent...but to totally not have LPN's...who would staff all the nursing homes???? Certainly there isn't enough RN's to even staff hospitals let alone other facilities (LTC, rehabs,psych and addiction centers). It would be a waste of resources without doubt.

Karen

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2005

Your right you are about to get flamed ,and Im about to do it. Nothing pisses me off moe than disrespect of your fellow nurses. I have done my time baby and chances are I can dance circles around you! There are all levels of patient acuity and not enough RN's to go around. It doesnt matter what the hell your credentials are if you cant even hook up O2. This whole post is full of contradictions , you think LPN's have had their time being very valuable but, at the same time Still are valuable. I too have worked very hard to get at the point Im at, and you are not going to knock me down. I intentially went to LVN school first to get the foundation and get some experience. I am just about to conquer my BSN but, I worked my way up from the bottom . I personally believe that no one should be a RN without being a LVN first. There how do you like that? Just because I cant claim the "Professional" status ,does not mean I am not competent to care for sick patients. I also know how to wear my name tag, that say's LVN. So ,there should be no confusion. I think you need to step off your high horse and come back down with us ,in reality. Ok, moderator come get it and chop it up!!!!

Well, personally, and I realize this is another topic, I think there should be either you are an RN, or you are a tech/aid etc. I think the LPNs should either go to school to get their RN, or have their titles become aids/techs etc. I know, I will be flamed for this one. But, I honestly think there should be one set of credentials for "nurse", and that is a Registered Nurse. LPN's had their time when they were very valuable to healthcare, and they still are... but as todays patients acuities are getting higher, I think this is the way to go.Like it or not, RN's are considered the professionals of the nursing field, and I think patients deserve to be treated by professionals, considering the high cost of healthcare these days. Now dont get me wrong, there are tons of very intelligent and competent LPNs out there who know their stuff...... but ..... in this day and age, you need the credentials.That way, there will be no more of that "oh, you are a nurse, are you a RN or a LPN?" junk. You work your butt off, get the title and respect you deserve!!! But in all actuality, its the BON's and all the powers that be that allow this debate to happen.
There should be a minimum requirement for a "nurse"........RN.

Fiona59 · Apr 7, 2005

I don't "respect" titles. Only the individual doing the job.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 7, 2005

There should be a minimum requirement for a "nurse"........RN.

It never ceases to amaze me that when people say this, it also happens to be the title they have. :rolleyes: