Will LPN/LVN be phased out?

Nurseboy1 · Feb 4, 2005

:deadhorse Everybody has their place and role in the healthcare team. Hasn't this issue been discussed many times already?

ren61261 · Feb 4, 2005

I am just wondering others thoughts on this subject. I am currently a LPN working on my RN. However, ever since I was in school for my LPN I keep hearing how eventually LPN's will be phased out. I think financially this would be a hard thing to do for hospitals and other facilites. Any other thoughts on this?

I have been a LPN for 23 years and have heard this off and on the whole time. I have always been employed and had my choice of positions. Just like anything else if youre caring and dedicated you will have a position. LTC would be lost without LPN's It will never happen. Good luck with getting your RN!

saskrn · Feb 4, 2005

I don't think they'll be phased out. I see more hospitals going to RN's only, so the LPN's role may change to exclusively staffing LTC, clinics, etc.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2005

I was an LPN for 20 years before recently getting my RN. There was that same rumor then... and LPNs are still around and ALWAYS will be. Like many of the posters have said... LPNs are very valuable. Most LTCs could not operate without LPNs!!!

jacads · Feb 4, 2005

LPN's are slowly being phased out of hospital care and I believe in the next 20 years very few LPN's will be allowed to work in hospital based care. As an RN traveler I have worked at several hospitals that do not allow LPN's to work in hospitals

saskrn · Feb 4, 2005

LPN's are slowly being phased out of hospital care and I believe in the next 20 years very few LPN's will be allowed to work in hospital based care. As an RN traveler I have worked at several hospitals that do not allow LPN's to work in hospitals

I saw that as a traveller, as well.

RNKitty · Feb 4, 2005

Last August our hospital layed off ALL of the 88 LPN's. It hasn't hired LPN's in over 10 years and was supposed to eliminate their positions by attrition. It is sad, as these nurses had 20-30 years of experience. They had the choice to stay as a CNA or return to school for an RN if they want to be rehired by the hospital. Out of the 4 hospitals in our town, two (the biggest) have eliminated the LPN positions.

Nesher, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2005

I hate to be the voice of doom but I believe LPNs will disappear as the schools that teach these programs close. My hospital is an all RN institution and has been for the 16 years I've been there.

I imagine it will boil down to economics - what are the wage differences between LPNs and aides? Can the roles of the LPN be performed by an aide?

LTC does seem to be the hold out in terms of usage. It seems there aren't too many choices out there for LPNs- but this might a regional effect....

EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2005

My thought is that their duties will only increase since they are such a valuable asset to the hospital.

flasandy42 · Mar 3, 2006

hi,
i definetly agree - i don't think phasing us out would be something affordable - especially here in ontario where we depend so much on government funding. what i see happening up here is rpn's/lpn's are actually earning more and more responsibility...treatmeant, meds etc., that used to be rn responsibilities....but we're cheaper. the rumour in my town is that they're going to lay off a bunch of rn's to hire rpn's. too bad for them, but good for me!
vida
:roll

i was wondering how nursing is in canada. i'm an american married to a canadian and we spend our summers on buckhorn lake. i was in the laundromat in lakefield last summer and heard nurses complaining. one said she was working in the kitchen to keep her full-time position. i thought it may be because they're building a new hospital in peterborough and some of the hospital is closed. do you think that's the reason? i sure never heard of anyone putting nurses in the kitchen!