Phasing out of LPNs?

[linfull]

I'm pretty new to this website and I hope I'm not asking a question that has already been dealt with. I'm getting ready to start an ADN program. I orginally was going to become an LPN and I have had some nurses tell me that LPNs will be phased out in the future. Other nurses have told me that it is impossible to phase them out due to the shortage. I have also been told that someday all RNs will have to have a BSN and those with an ADN will be grandfathered in and still others have said not true. A bit confusing to say the least, but I have decided to go for the RN. Thanks for any info!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Hi! Definately go for your RN. There are many opinions on the questions you posted, and it is indeed very confusing.

But the fact of the matter is that there is a nursing shortage. In my opinion there will always be a place for the LPN and the ADN RN. If there were an overabundance of nurses the hospitals and other places could be particular and hire only BSN trained RNs. But they probably wouldn't be willing to pay for them, as they are unwilling to pay for the number of nurses they need now.

Good luck!

[crankyasanoldma]

Those rumors have been floating for some time- at least the 12 years that I have been in nursing. Recently my unit, but not the whole hospital, went all RN.

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

My mil has been a nurse since the 1950s. She tells me there was a lot of talk of phasing out LPNs back then. That was 50 years ago, and it still hasn't happened. I don't think it will ever happen.

[unknown99, BSN, RN]

While I do suggest you go for your RN, LPN's are not getting phased out!!! That discussion has been going around for as long as I can remember. I am due to grad from ADN program on June 4, 2004, but I have been an LPN for 19 years-- and that talk has been around since way before then.

[linfull]

Thanks for all of the info. I figured with the shortage how could anyone be phased out!