Will LPN's be around for long?

SWM2009 · 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.

Good grief...tell us how you really feel about LPNs why don't you.

I will say no more because what I want to say in response to this post will likely get me banned.

Red Kryptonite · Jan 21, 2015

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

I'm doing just that, thank you. Not everyone becoming a LPN is stupid or needs your pontificating. I'd even hazard a guess that most of us aren't.

fiba · Jan 21, 2015

From some of my own research, I did read that LPN programs have remained stable since the 90's. I have been thinking about starting an LPN program and going through with school. I do not want to go through everything if there is no future for LPNs because then of course I would have wasted my time and money. My overall goal is to be an RN, I was thinking of doing LPN and then doing an LPN-RN bridge program. Please let me know what you all think.

Yes I think they will be around for many years to come. But if you can, be an RN.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2015

Funny how I work for a nonprofit.
And I know of at least a few other nonprofit orgs around me that employ LPNs.

It makes no difference, most nonprofits are just as focused on keeping labor costs as low as possible, while paying the people at the top very generously! They might as well be for profit the way they act, but they get all the tax benefits that for profits don't!

busylilnurse · Jan 22, 2015

Ive been an LPN for over 20 years and always wished I had gone straight for my RN. Now at 49 Im finally done with prereqs and applying to LPN to RN bridge program. When I think of all the money I COULD have made as an RN all these years......ugh. Here in Northwest Indiana, LPN's are only working in doctors offices. The hospitals won't hire us anymore (i did that for three years), still hiring LPN at jails (Did that as well) and at LTC (did that too lol). The last seven years I've been at a doctors office which is nice as far as having holidays and weekends off....but you trade off in pay. Also the offices seem to hire more MA's now. They pay them much less and get the same work out of them. Just my observations.

mhusen5 · Jan 22, 2015

I stated nothing rude or demeaning! Your perception is faulty. You either have your own issues, or the truth/facts offended you because it wasn't what you wanted to hear!

I never disrespected or demeaned any class of nurses, nor insinuated one was 'superior' to the other.

Good grief, read what I wrote,... not your false perception.

I stated what was, and was not, available depending on the degree you chose to pursue.

If I were embarking on a career path I'd want to know all the pitfalls, before ....I chose my career path...not find out when it is too late.

Your nursing degree limits or enhances your job/career choices and that is undeniable fact.

I stated the facts as I know them and live them every day. I listen to and empathize with LPNs, complaining they are as "good as the RNs", should have more job oppoirtunities and should be paid more! No one told them that degrees matter!

Unfortunately, they haven't a clue about how much they don't know because their education was limited and did not include the advanced knowledge that an advanced degree provides.

I didn't couch the facts in platitudes but as it is in the real world.

Your degree limits or enhances your job/career choices, and that is undeniable fact.

Lmomma · Jan 22, 2015

I stated nothing rude or demeaning! Your perception is faulty. You either have your own issues, or the truth/facts offended you because it wasn't what you wanted to hear!
I never disrespected or demeaned any class of nurses, nor insinuated one was 'superior' to the other.
Good grief, read what I wrote,... not your false perception.
I stated what was, and was not, available depending on the degree you chose to pursue.
If I were embarking on a career path I'd want to know all the pitfalls..before ....1
Your nursing degree limits or enhances your job/career choices and that is undeniable fact.
I stated the facts as I know them and live them every day. I listen to and empathize with LPNs, complaining they are as "good as the RNs", should have more job oppoirtunities and should be paid more! No one told them that degrees matter!
Unfortunately, they haven't a clue about how much they don't know because their education was limited and did not include the advanced knowledge that an advanced degree provides.
I didn't couch the facts in platitudes but as it is in the real world.
Your degree limits or enhances your job/career choices, and that is undeniable fact.

I read what you wrote and I am not alone in the "perception" that it was rude. "Most LPN are in LTC griping about how they are just as good as RNs". That's not rude? Ok. That's not trying to sound superior? Baloney. I hate to burst your bubble, but none of the LPNs I know sit around griping about RNs or trying to be "as good" as they are. They have their own lives, career choices and paths. Your perception on that is flawed, and tells me you have quite a distorted, high opinion of yourself.

I have no issues. I am perfectly happy with my choices in life, including the one to pursue the license I've picked. I am not "limited" by an LPN license, as none of the jobs I wish to pursue require an RN license.

mhusen5 · Jan 22, 2015

Please read my comment again! You're reading into my comment that which is not there!

I did not disrespect any class of nurses, nor would I ever.

I stated simply what you can expect.... regarding whichever degree you pursue.

It's bonafide fact that LPNs are the unhappiest group of nurses because their job choices and salaries are limited....due to facility and state regulations regarding their ability and worth. That's undeniable fact

No matter how hard or long they work..there are limited job choices and no upward career ladder available to them.

Would they deliberately choose to follow a career path that boxed them into the lowest paying nursing job...with no chance of advancement?

If that fact was not made known to them that's despicable! If that was the direction they chose to follow, with all the information on the table, congratulations and good luck, and welcome to the club!

I simply put the facts out there in order that the individual, who was considering a nursing career path, had all the information, including how limiting an LPN degree can be!

Red Kryptonite · Jan 22, 2015

It's bonafide fact that LPNs are the unhappiest group of nurses because their job choices and salaries are limited....due to facility and state regulations regarding their ability and worth. That's undeniable fact

LOL got a source for this undeniable fact? Beyond your anecdotal experience I mean...

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Jan 22, 2015

I'm doing just that, thank you. Not everyone becoming a LPN is stupid or needs your pontificating. I'd even hazard a guess that most of us aren't.

I agree, I'm becoming an LVN to circumvent the insane lotteries that all the RN programs run near me. I'm getting an ADN next (like immediately bridging as I completed the RN prerequisite courses before I even applied to LVN school) because the BSN programs are not accepting transfer students with CC prerequisite courses where I live due to impaction. Then I will bridge immediately again, as I also completed the BSN prerequisite work at my local CC. All together it adds 1.5 years to my total time in school. Don't ever believe I got a 'lesser' degree because I'm stupid. I'm far from it, I planned, I'd rather work and gain valuable skills, than be on waitlist. I'd also appreciate knowing what each job role is by having done it.

mhusen5 · Jan 22, 2015

Sorry RED, I don't pontificate but simply tell it like it is...in the real world...

It's all about choices!

If you are choosing a career path, you should know all the pros and cons.

That was my intent... to empower the individual with all of the information

Are you going to be happy in a dead end job or do you want a job with a career ladder to climb?

You choose your degree path according to your motivation, life choices and experiences, money available etc etc and no path deserves you, or anyone, to indiscriminately label any of them 'stupid' for their choices!

Red Kryptonite · Jan 22, 2015

Some people define their value by much more than their jobs. A job is what I do, not who I am. You also seem to assume I'm stopping here. Ever heard of a stepping stone?

Still waiting for that source.