Phasing out LPN's?

[liberty_bell]

I have heard that many states want to or are phasing out LPN's and just using RN's? Do you think there is truth to this or just hear say? There are not as many LPN schools as RN, however there are still some? Just wondering what you guys think? I know LPN's are used mainly in LTC places, do you really think they are phasing them all out?

[RNandRRT]

here's a thread with plenty of opinions on this very subject.

https://allnurses.com/lpn-lvn-corner/i-just-heard-445047.html

[laynaER]

I have been hearing this for years. Quite frankly, I don't think they'll do away with LPNs. Their role is vital to the nursing team just like everyone elses.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

In my neck of the woods, hospitals are re-visiting team nursing in order to provide more hands at the bedside with minimal cost increases. If you are paying attention to all the health care reform debates & seeing how congress wants to cut provider reimbursement again - we have to figure out how to reduce the cost of care somehow!

As part of the switch to team nursing, hospitals have to increase LVN positions as well as CNA's. Of course, the RNs also have to be trained to function as a team leader rather than delivering total care themselves. This is not a new concept, but it can be a difficult transition. Heck, those of us that grew up in a team nursing environment know that it can work really well and provides everyone an opportunity to give the type of care that they have been trained (and licensed) to provide.

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I have heard this rumor for 20 yrs I doubt it will ever happen

[GilaRRT]

Every few weeks we seem to have a thread on this topic?

[paacollins]

You see more LPN positions in LTC than any place else but I doubt they'll be phased out. You also see less positions for LPNS since NA II became a certification. Again, I don't seem them being phased out completely because LPNS cost less to employ but can do more than a NAII.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

I started nursing school in 1971. They were talking about phasing out LPNs even then! And then they started to phase out RN DIPLOMA programs.

Go figure! The nursing community hasn't been able to figure itself out, what the basic education needs to be, what the standards are, etc.

But if you have the time, the opportunity, and the money, you would be better off going for your RN at any level than for your LPN. THIS IS NOT A PUT DOWN OF LPNs. DO NOT FLAME ME.

Best wishes.

[houndnurse]

As a previous LPN, and current RN that works in LTC and Hospital, I think that LPN's are great at the LTC facility that I work at. Most really know their stuff and are great nurses. On the other hand, when I work the hospital, I am actually caring for my 4-6 patients as well as the LPN's 4-6 patients. Totals me with 12 patients sometimes. LPN's are not permitted to call doctors, receive orders, do admissions, they refuse to start iv's (most won't even attempt it) I have to cosign their assessments and call doctors for change in condition. This leads to controversy because sometimes I don't feel a need to call a doctor about something so minimal at 3am. Then, they start bad mouthing me because I won't call. I think if a hospital is going to hire a nurse then let them be a nurse. I have no problem with LPN's, because I was one myself, but they are using them as a cover up in the hospital to where I work, so it looks like I only have 6 patients when i have 12!

[akanini, MSN, RN]

Not going to happen....TRUST ME. One thing I can say is that nursing homes will always hire us.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

it will never happen unless there is a lot of rn's that are ready to take over the ltc's.......

[taz628, BSN, RN]

As a general thing? No way. My ER though - we definitely seem to be doing so! We have had 4 LPN's graduate with their RN and they kept them on, increased the core RN numbers and decreased LPN numbers. They're replacing the LPN's with RN's even though they "cost more."