First off, I think this site is awsome!! I have been on for a couple of months now, and don't think I've even scratched the surface of info I could find here.
So.... I am starting to get a little concerned about the decision I have recently made. See, I am about to leave a pretty decent paying job to pursue a career in nursing. I have always wanted to do this, but, the timing was never right. Now I am on my way, a more than a little nervous about the outlook.
I have been trolling the want ads, hospital sites, and of course AN.com to see what the job market is like. My plan is (was) to get my lpn, get a job, and continue to rn. However, I seem to be seeing that lpn's are kind of being phased out. Is this true. If so, what is one to do? Don't know if I can afford not to work for nearly 3 years. I live in west central Florida if that helps any. Looking forward to your feedback.
Specializes in Dialysis, Long-term care, Med-Surg.
I'm a new LPN. I decided to become an LPN, then work on my RN; there are plenty of jobs for LPN's in my area (northeastern Oklahoma). Hospitals here typically don't hire LPNs, but LTC, SNF, home health, VA, and agency does. I work agency now, and I have two interviews set for this week. I wanted to gain experience while working on my RN, and that's what I'm doing. Wish you the best!
I can't imagine LPN's being phased out, especially somewhere like Florida!! I was an LPN for 13 years and never had problems finding employment. I think it's a great way to get your feet wet in nursing. Good luck!
I am in a similar boat. I started my RN but do to financial changes I have decided to finish my first year off as a LPN and work for a little bit before getting my RN..hopefully BSN or Masters in RN. I keep hearing that hospitals aren't hiring LPN's and the only work that I am going to find is in nursing homes and such facilities. Is this true? I really hate my day job and have always wanted to be a nurse and now I'm worried that my efforts may be too late...I live in the Baltimore/DC area
It really depends on your geographical location. My employer just doubled the referral bonus for any referred LPN staying on for 90 days or more. They also have a hire on bonus now. The catch - gotta have one year experience.
The hospital that I work at told all the LPNs that they would no longer be used as LPNs but as techs. They was also told that if they stayed they would receive a pay cut over the next three years until they made the same as the techs do. Great place to work!!!
Alot of the LPNs I know are looking into different careers, and getting out of nursing altogether. And I don't blame them. I'm one myself. What the management doesn't realize is, they're cutting off their nose to spite their face. While staffing only RNs and CNAs may look profitable on paper, they are failing to see the practical side of their decision. LPNs take up the slack. We do the work the RNs are unable (or sometimes unwilling) to do, in addition to the work the CNAs are not licensed to do. So good luck with that I say, and get ready for the fallout.
Specializes in Tele, Med/Surg, Case Mgmt, Ins. Rev.
West Central Florida would tell me you are in the Pinellas/Pasco/Hernando county areas. LPN's are utilized here in LTC, SNF and rehab facilities. You will have difficulty being hired to one of the hospitals as a brand new LPN, unless you try working weekends there now as a CNA.
Make sure that you take additional classes such as IV therapy and Phlebotomy, that will help you transition from school to employment. Also, look into the Baycare Hospitals, they are hiring right now for earn as you learn. They are taking RN students, assisting with school, and employing them during school in return for employment contracts. They may be willing to take you as an LPN if you were serious about proceeding right to your RN.
Some of the "planetree" hospitals are going back to team nursing. We are trying it here at my hospital. I finish in January, and wonder if they would hire a
'green LPN' in the ER where it is being implemented. I wondered how it would work considering the MST (multi-skilled tech) can do blood draws, trach care, suctioning, EKGs, and other things, except meds. What is the LPN doing? MSTs do treatments too. They hired 3 LPNs and a LPN refresher?? not sure what that is.... so I am just watching. It would be interesting to understand what TEAM NURSING really is. How it worlds in real world experiences vs. on paper. And if the RNs are ready to lead a team. Primary nursing seems to have been the norm for years and when I speak to younger RNs (3 to 5 yrs on the job) they have no heard of TEAM NURSING. Would love to hear the real deal of team nursing.
mesa1979, BSN, RN
120 Posts
I'm a new LPN. I decided to become an LPN, then work on my RN; there are plenty of jobs for LPN's in my area (northeastern Oklahoma). Hospitals here typically don't hire LPNs, but LTC, SNF, home health, VA, and agency does. I work agency now, and I have two interviews set for this week. I wanted to gain experience while working on my RN, and that's what I'm doing. Wish you the best!