Will LPN's ever be utilized the way they used to be?

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Aug 18, 2007

I'm in BC Canada the trend seems to be the reverse here. I'm not 100% sure how much LPN's were utilized in hospitals say 10-15 years ago, but I know that current LPN's in my province have many, many options. (I will be starting my LPN course in September, so I'm not currently an LPN).

LPN's in BC do work in many hospitals and many capasities. Of course there are a few wards that LPN's don't do like L+D, O.R., ICU, cardiac telemetry. I think other than those few they are on most every other ward. LPN's of course also do LTC facilities, home health care, clinics etc.

I would not be doing the LPN course if the only option I had was LTC or nursing home.

I hope it works out for you!! I can't understand why hospitals wouldn't want LPN's.

All_Smiles_RN · Aug 18, 2007

I work at a level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital that hires LPNs.

kstec, LPN · Aug 18, 2007

ALL SMILES RN-Where do you live and how do the RN's like having the LPN's there? Does it work well and are the LPN's allowed to work to the full extent of their scope?

All_Smiles_RN · Aug 18, 2007

They take full teams the same as the RNs do. As far as I know, the only difference is that the RNs push their IV meds. We work well together. The floor I work on doesn't have all the cattiness I hear about on here and from other nurses.

AngBthatsme · Aug 18, 2007

The hospital I work in utilizes LPNs, but they are changing the role of the LPN. LPNs on the floor that I work on are now being pushed away from the bedside as far as "collecting data" or taking a patient load as do the RN's. The reason for this is that it is state law that if you are admitted to the hospital you will be assigned a registered nurse to do your assessment and care for you. It is outside the scope of practice for the LPN to do an "assessment". I know they have used the term "data collection" for what the LPN has done when they are assigned a patient load and then there is an RN who is assigned with that LPN who oversees the data collection and signs off on that chart. The problem is that it is hard for the RN to take her patient load 5-6 patients and oversee or know the LPNs 5-6 patients. I have worked with many incredibly talented and knowledgable LPNs. Although I can sympathize with the LPNs, I realize this... it has taken years of hard work and RNs have fought to be recognized for the skills that we have. Nursing in all aspects has come incredibly far in the past 50 years. As the LPNs are being pushed to become RNs, the RNs with associate degrees are being pushed to have bachelors degrees. We should all be very proud of the care that we give our patients. We should also recognize the hard work and the fight for recognition that has been given to us, because of the pioneers in nursing before us. If we do not believe in working inside the scope of practice that comes with the amount of schooling that we receive then as nurses we will all be lumped together CNAs, LPNs RN's NP etc). What we each bring to the table is valuable, but it is worth understanding that we must validate that the education we receive enables us to perform certain tasks and not others. Embrace where you are whether you are a CNA, LPN, RN, NP and if you are not satisfied with where you are, go on and become more. This is not meant to offend anyone, I value all of my co-workers and I know that we are team, noone better than the other. We all just have different skill levels, but together as nurses we need to continue to pioneer and let the medical field know what a value we are to the healthcare system.

wjf00 · Aug 18, 2007

You should refer to your states laws on 'scope of practice'. I know in California that LVN's collect data, only an RN can assess. LVN's in California can not use the nursing process like RN's. In an acute care setting the RN must implement or amend the care plan. In the RN's scope of practice, the law requires an 'ongoing assessment' throughout the shift to determine if the care plan needs to be changed. Again, LVN's cant assess, therefor the RN must assess everyone of the LVN's patients before implementing or changing the care plan. Since the law specifically requires (title 22, and nurse practice acts) that the RN utilize an 'ongoing assessment' to implement or make adjustments to a care plan, an LVN can not practice in an acute care setting with their own assignment. LVN's can be 'delegated tasks', this does not mean an assignment on their own. Again, check your states laws on scope of practice, it may be different in your state.

junebug62 · Aug 18, 2007

I hear you sister! It happened here in Virginia. Back when I became an LPN (23 years ago) UVA had LPNs on every floor. ALL floors, L&D, NICU etc. I was hired to work "little peds" 0-6 year olds which I loved.

The PICU was litterally right through the door. Sometimes we were pulled there. From peds I went to PP/NN/L&D, you could float among the three back then. It was great. We had a bunch of LPN's .

About 3-4 years later, is when it stated. LPN positions were not being posted. If you had a job, you better keep it. LPN slots were being filled by RN's or aides. We had not heard the term PCA yet!

Fast forward, to today, I agree that there is a missing link. Why keep producing LPNs, if your only choice is LTC, or maybe a clinic. One of the main reasons that I am getting my RN, is choice. I don't have experience in anything but L&D, peds. etc. AND, I don't have interest in LTC, or adult nursing. For me it's simply choice.

My best to you!

Ms Kylee · Aug 18, 2007

I'm only 6 months into my part time LPN program and I was lucky enough to get a nursing assistant position at our major employer in the city. At my interview, I was told "You WILL go on for your RN". Thing is, as much as I love my hospital and my job, I'm not sure I want to give back another 2 years for them to pay for my RN, and I really do not like LTC. I'm between that proverbial rock and hard place

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2007

In the Tampa Bay area LPNs run the LTC facilities, enjoy good pay and job prospects. In the hospital they are still used with little changes in the job since I've been working there. In fact they've increased their scope to include IV pushes and taking doctors orders. So their role has expanded. However, the opportunities have become limited as JCHAO is requiring "RN level of care" and new grad LPNs are having a lot of trouble finding hospital jobs. Experienced LPNs fare better in finding hospital jobs.

So in my opinion they are still using them as they always have, nothing's changed except they are using less of them.

Lorie P. · Aug 18, 2007

here in south ga, there is a hiring freeze on lpn's and no lpn is allowed to transfer to another department. so if one has a job at the hosp, then they would be wise to keep it.

it makes no sence what so ever, they can not get enough rn's to work the night or evening shifts as it is.

right now as an lpn, i do everything and rn does except 2 things, iniciate and spike blood and push certain cardiac drugs iv( usually the ones used in a code). i do assessments, give meds, change dressings and everything else. the only other thing i can not do is write out a care plan.

it is a never ending cycle, just about 10 years ago the same place put a freeze on lpn's but could not get enough rn's to fill the postions, then went back to hiring lpn's, now it is starting all over again.

welcome to the world of healthcare and nursing!!

pepperann35 · Aug 18, 2007

I'm just curious especially for the states that are keeping LPN's out of hospitals and other places they were once allowed to work. I talked to my old nursing instructor today and I truly respect her words, and she told me that when she was a LPN, they had little if any restrictions, but for some reason it all changed. She even said she's having a hard time finding places for the students to do clinicals. If we are such a dying breed why do they keep offering the programs? If we are that incompetent, why again don't they stop offering the programs? Are we just being trained for clinics and LTC only? Are we the one who will be taking care of the baby boomers in the LTC facilities? The reason I ask is because I really have no desire to go back to school for my RN and especially don't want to be made to due to society's pressure. I wish I understood what happened. When I started my pre-reqs a few years ago, hospitals were just starting to fade out LPN's, not they are obsolete. I actually wanted to make being a LPN a career, not just a stepping stone to my RN. I know I could do it if I wanted to but I don't. Oh well, I guess I'll just continue to go where I'm accepted for what I am and not what the facilities want me to be (RN). This thread was not meant to demean any LPN's, I'm just wondering if any other LPN's are feeling the brunt of this big "your a nurse but yet your really not "vibe. Any input as to why there was a change with LPN's job availibility's would be great, please respond without belittling and any LPN's who feel the same way as me, please respond. I guess I wonder because if I will always be made to feel less than nurse after what was the biggest accomplishment in my life next to my two boys and husband, then I just don't think this is the career for me.

I know how you feel. I have been an LPN for 18 yrs. I am a night shift supervisor in LTC. I like it but the pay just isn't that great for the amount of experience I have. The thing is I WOULD like to go back to school but I cannot afford it. If we need RN's so bad, why don't they develope programs to help some of us get there? LPN's have a lot of knowledge that we learn on-the-job and should be respected for it. I think liability for hospitals is the issue that pushed us LPN's out. It looks better if they only use RN's--sure is a crock!