Will LPN's be around for long?

Laferg08 · Jan 21, 2015

We just talked about this in Fundamentals the other week, and my instructor said that if any nurse profession was going to be phased out, she would think it would be diploma RNs since some places refuse to hire RNs from a diploma program and prefer RNs with ADN or BSN degrees. I can't see LVN/PNs ever being phased out. I know the hospital my aunt worked at preferred RNs, but if the LVN/PN had a good work record and personality, they were hired. :)

Red Kryptonite · Jan 21, 2015

I am considering hospice. Do you go into patient's homes or is this a facility? Do you enjoy it? (I'm gonna guess you do since you plan to continue working for them after getting your license)

I do both. I like that inpatient is a more controlled environment, but also enjoy being one on one with patients in homes. There have been a few froot loops in there, but mostly not too bad.

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2015

What was the nurse's role when they were with a student 1:1? I have worked education, nursing is a career change for me. I'd be interested in combining both disciplines, but don't know much about the nurse's role in the classroom

In my neck of the woods, 1:1 at school is basically an extension of 1:1 private duty nursing. They accompany students who have trachs, vents, feeding tubes, Foley or in-and-out caths, or any combination of those. They are not paid by the school district, but the agency providing skilled nursing coverage for the child.

I understand that sometimes an aide who is employed by the district might do that as well, although I'm not sure of the criteria involved that would indicate one vs the other.

I work in private duty, but as of yet not accompanied a child to school so I can't provide further details on what a typical day in the classroom would look like, but if you search the PDN Forum you will find posts discussing the topic. Best wishes!

chicsurfs, LPN · Jan 21, 2015

Offensive. Not everyone chooses to be an RN.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 21, 2015

Even though I'm an RN, I don't see the LPN/LVN going away any time soon. While an RN can do all the things an LPN/LVN can do, they're also a LOT more expensive when utilized in an identical role. What also needs to be remembered is that the RN isn't needed everywhere. The LPN/LVN is quite useful and often is exactly the provider of nursing that is needed in many environments. At least in my area, while the LVN has basically been transitioned out of acute care, they're far from being phased out of all medical environments. From what I've seen, the LVNs are doing pretty darned well!

I really don't see them going away... I'd quite suspect that the ADN will go away before the LPN/LVN does.

featherzRN, MSN · Jan 21, 2015

I was an LVN/LPN back in (mumble mumble 1980 something) and they were saying all this back then. I doubt it will ever happen. More likely we'd end up with something like the Canadian system where the LPN's are the equivalent of a two year RN and the RN's all need to have a BSN (going forward, everyone grandfathered in). Even if something like that happened, it's a long time away. They did fire all the LPN's at the local hospital here, but there are still jobs in outpatient care, LTC, etc - one organization has two pages of LPN openings!

Back when I walked five miles both ways in the snow (get off my lawn!!) and was going to LPN school I heard this same thread over and over again.. better get your RN, you'll be obsolete soon! I DID get my RN shortly thereafter and I am glad I did, but the fear has so far been unfounded.

Farawyn · Jan 21, 2015

Re: The Diploma nurses. I have friends who are Diploma nurses and they CANNOT get a new job, so they are stuck working where they have been for the last 20-30-40 years, constantly being pushed to go for a BSN. They are all 55 and over. And may I add some of the BEST nurses I have ever worked with. Old school tricks? These ladies (and yes, I don't know any male Diploma RNs) know it ALL.

Sorry about the diversion.

I also know some great LPNs, but very hard to get a job in NY. Not impossible, but hard. They are often treated as MAs unless it is LTC or Dialysis. I was lucky enough in my last clinic job to work with 2 LPNs. They drew blood and gave injections and did all the fun stuff while I got to do the teaching and decisiony stuff.

Lmomma · Jan 21, 2015

In my neck of the woods, 1:1 at school is basically an extension of 1:1 private duty nursing. They accompany students who have trachs, vents, feeding tubes, Foley or in-and-out caths, or any combination of those. They are not paid by the school district, but the agency providing skilled nursing coverage for the child.
I understand that sometimes an aide who is employed by the district might do that as well, although I'm not sure of the criteria involved that would indicate one vs the other.
I work in private duty, but as of yet not accompanied a child to school so I can't provide further details on what a typical day in the classroom would look like, but if you search the PDN Forum you will find posts discussing the topic. Best wishes!

thank you! I have actually normally seen these positions posted by the school district itself in my area, not sure if that is a regional thing or not.

TiredKitten · Jan 21, 2015

I doubt LPN will ever be fazed out. Here, there are a ton of options for employment. From the employers point of view, why would they hire an RN to do a job an LPN can do cheaper. LTC and doctored offices are a huge employer of LPN's. The local hospitals use LPNs in their onsite clinics. The state hospital (psych) only uses LPN for med nurse. Then you have all the other mental health facilities. The local acute care rehab hospital I work at uses LPN and RNs on floor. It's basically a med surge job with accident victims and Neuro (stroke) patients. They have everything including PICC lines, feeding tubes, IVs, etc. I know a few LPN's that work home health visiting people in their homes checking up on them. Those are just the jobs i know of off the top of my head.

jmggg · Jan 21, 2015

I was told 30 years ago that LPN's would be phased out .Guess what? I am still an LPN and working as an LPN.

mhusen5 · Jan 21, 2015

If you want to be limited in your choice of jobs, get an LPN! I worked in several hospitals that refused to hire LPNs.

Now, many require a BSN for everything but a staff nurse. If you have a choice, going for a lesser degree is ludicrous.

You will never be given a position of responsibility...those go to the degreed nurses RN and above!

LPNs are found mostly in LTC grousing that they are "as smart as RNs and can do anything an RN can do" etc and resent the salary scale and/or the limitations of practice required by both the facility and state regulations!

Like it or not, your knowledge base and pay scale is measured by your degrees....and that is cast in stone!

LPNs are not equivalent RNs, RNs are not equivalent BSNs, BSNs are not equivalent PAs, and PAs are not equivalent MDs etc etc.!

If you want your choice of jobs, you acquire the education and degree it requires. It's just that simple.

Lmomma · Jan 21, 2015

If you want to be limited in your choice of jobs, get an LPN! I worked in several hospitals that refused to hire LPNs.
Now, many require a BSN for everything but a staff nurse. If you have a choice, going for a lesser degree is ludicrous.
You will never be given a position of responsibility...those go to the degreed nurses RN and above!
LPNs are found mostly in LTC grousing that they are "as smart as RNs and can do anything an RN can do" etc and resent the salary scale and/or the limitations of practice required by both the facility and state regulations!
Like it or not, your knowledge base and pay scale is measured by your degrees....and that is cast in stone!
LPNs are not equivalent RNs, RNs are not equivalent BSNs, BSNs are not equivalent PAs, and PAs are not equivalent MDs etc etc.!
If you want your choice of jobs, you acquire the education and degree it requires. It's just that simple.

Wow. that was extremely rude of you. You can state the facts without being demeaning or trying to sound superior to those nurses who chose a different path than you.