MELILPN

Hi, I am an LPN on the East coast. I have 17 years experience in primarily the hospital setting and acute care nursing and I have been laid off twice since 2009 (and not once prior to 2009). Once from a position I had for 7 years and the other a position I had worked on and off for 10 years. I am struggling to find employment... acquaintances that I have in recruiting positions have told me that there has been an influx of new RN grads into work force, the hospitals won't hire them (so I have been told) and therefore more and more are moving into the LTC settings (and why hire an experience LPN when you can get a new grad RN probably cheaper--it is just smart business), taking positions that were formerly held by LPNs. Hospitals do not want LPNs anymore, and as I have been told they would rather not employ an associates degree RN either...here is a recent quote that I over heard " we would rather hire a mediocre BSN than an exceptional RN"..It really is sad, I understand the need to be educated in order to provide our patients with exceptional care, but there are so many talented LPNs and RNs out there who I think are getting a bum deal. I have been told since the day I became an LPN that my profession would be around much longer..I never really bought into it until now..I believe that LPNs will soon be a thing of the past and for those of you who have jobs ..hang on tight. I myself I gone back to school..first through the ASN and already have my BSN program chosen and have finished pre-reqs....I don't ever want to be out of work again..