Why don't more facilities utilize LPN's during this 'Nursing Shortage'?

tntrn, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

Quite a few years ago, too many IMHO, our hospital, decided to do away with the LPN's. At that time, they were given the option of becoming aides (can you believe what a slap in the face that was?) or leave. I don't know of any who stayed. In our unit, which is Birthcenter, Postpartum and women's gyn surgeries, our LPN's were wonderful. They could do all the postpartum and post-op care, leaving the RNS' for the labor patients and c/section work. Why our administration thought this to be a good thing is beyond me. Another stupendously stupid mistake. One day, I expect they'll try it again, but only under the guise of some new-fangled lable that makes it look like it is an original and new idea, that they thought up. I can't wait to retire.

RN BSN 2009 · Mar 19, 2008

I'd imagine it's the scope of practice difference.

jjjoy, LPN · Mar 19, 2008

It can get confusing in regard to defining the LPN role from the RN role. It seems that sometimes the LPN ends up with more and more responsibility in the hospital. That's not necessarily a problem in regard to ability. LPNs can learn new skills. But as they take on more responsibilities, the line between the LPN role and RN role becomes unclear. LPNs resent RNs who are making more money even though their job roles overlap so much. RNs are in an awkward situation of technically "delegating" to the LPN even though the LPN may resent being delegated to and feeling their professional skills aren't being trusted. RNs do have more education than LPNs so it makes sense that LPN opportunities wouldn't be as wide as for RNs. Where to draw that line is tricky... LPNs in sub-acute only? LPNs passing routine meds only? LPNs doing everything but hang blood and intial assessments? It's not simple.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

I do not know scope of practice for LPNs fully for my state, but I do know that many times RNs (my co-workers) have to sign for the patient of a LPN some times. Thus, as another poster mentioned, some times having LPNs is complicated. In addition, the only LPNs I know that work at my hospital are experienced! One told me she was around when the dinosaurs roamed... From her age I am guessing she has been a nurse since the 1970s. :wink2:

Anyway, hiring you would not stem the nursing shortage!! The nursing shortage in acute care no longer applies to New Graduate Nurses, which is what you will be soon. The shortage only applies to experienced nurses.

All over the country New Graduates from RN programs are having a hard time finding a job in acute care. Many are having to either work in LTC and Home Health or move. Thus, I can imagine that LPNs without experience or connections are basically being turned away from acute care in droves.

I am in my third semester (ADN program) and I will be applying for a job long before I graduate. I have started networking my first semester! I know it sounds crazy because of all of the garbage you may have been fed about a nursing shortage. However it is necessary. Last summer RNs I work with informed me of the new trend and I have taken it to heart. Especially since some are New Grads who waited for almost a year to be hired in acute care. GL!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 19, 2008

In my hospital, they eliminated the LPN role because it became too confusing to have 3 levels of nursing care-givers on a unit at the same time -- RN, LPN, and Nursing Assistant (CNA). When they were deciding which role to eliminate, they figured that the role differentiation was most clear between the RN and CNA -- so, those would be the 2 levels they would keep.

They also figured LPN's would be wasted and resentful of being used as CNA's -- but couldn't be allowed to take a full assignment by themselves because of limitations on their role. Therefore, keeping a mix of RN's and LPN's without any CNA's did not make sense.

tntrn, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

One told me she was around when the dinosaurs roamed... From her age I am guessing she she has been a nurse since the 1970.

Hey, watch it there, little one!!!!!!!! I graduated in 1976 and there were no dinasaurs then. HAHAHAHAHA! But I hear you. I learned some great stuff, after nursing school, from some of the old nurses, who really did start when dinasaurs were still around. That's funny. And the first time I've been linked to a pre-historic age. It IS time for me to retire! I'm still laughing. :yeah:

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

Hey, watch it there, little one!!!!!!!! I graduated in 1976 and there were no dinasaurs then. HAHAHAHAHA! But I hear you. I learned some great stuff, after nursing school, from some of the old nurses, who really did start when dinasaurs were still around. That's funny. And the first time I've been linked to a pre-historic age. It IS time for me to retire! I'm still laughing.

Oh, NO!! My hats off to all nurses who have been around a long time!! I am very impressed with your experience and your ability to stay in this field through the ups and downs. With that said, I laughed too when she made the comment!!

The LPN of whom I speak has over 20 years experience in Med-Surg and the rest in Women's Health. She is laid back compared to the newer nurses who run around like the sky is falling because she *knows* when something is a problem and when it is not. She can work on instinct that only experience brings. I absolutely love working with her and the nurses like her! The not so experienced nurses are too much like me; high stress!

Sincerely,

Third Semester, SN

Nursing Extern

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

Wanna fix the nursing shortage?

There is no true nursing shortage, regardless of what the media has been feeding to the public. 500,000 RNs and countless LPNs/LVNs have active licensure, but have purposely left nursing to pursue other interests. If these nurses returned to the bedside, the supposed "shortage" would be eliminated overnight.

There's only a shortage of nurses who would willingly work at the bedside under pitiful conditions for pitiful pay rates. In addition, some parts of the country have a shortage, while many do not.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2008

Moved to the LPN Corner.

christinajeanes · Sep 1, 2010

There is no true nursing shortage, regardless of what the media has been feeding to the public. 500,000 RNs and countless LPNs/LVNs have active licensure, but have purposely left nursing to pursue other interests. If these nurses returned to the bedside, the supposed "shortage" would be eliminated overnight.
There's only a shortage of nurses who would willingly work at the bedside under pitiful conditions for pitiful pay rates. In addition, some parts of the country have a shortage, while many do not.

YOU TELL 'EM!!!!

Leelee2 · Sep 1, 2010

Certain areas still utilize LPN's in hospital settings. Usually on Med/Surg floors.

They want you to have nursing experience generally speaking. A year or so in LTC on a rehab unit should give you some experience, then research which hospitals are hiring LPNs. In the hospital setting, being an LPN can be somewhat frustrating imo, you have assigned patients, but may not be able to deliver all the care they need (such as: They have nausea and need IV push anti-nausea drugs, or pain meds IV push-which here an LPN can't give)

Sometimes a pt needs pain meds IV push, every hour. So there you go again, looking for an RN to help. Or the patient is a new admit to the floor, and as an LPN you are not able to do the initial assessment, so you are running around looking for a RN who has time to come and do it. So working in a hospital setting as LPN has it's own types of frustration, just be aware of that. You will also be paid much less than an RN on your unit (rightly so)