Student Center >> Considering Nursing >> Is The Role of the LPN Being Phased Out?
Is The Role of the LPN Being Phased Out?
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Posted about 4 years ago Hello All, I am considering nursing as a second career and have been to many colleges in my area of Ohio in search of a good fit for me. I chose Bohecker College in Columbus and their Medical Assistant program as my place to start my nursing education. During orientation yesterday, April 15, 2009, I was informed by the Director of Education for the MA course that the with the quality of care and diversity of duties of an MA offer that the LPN role is dimishing in most clinics and doctor's offices. Can anyone weigh in on this matter? I'd like to know from the true professionals out in the field. Thanks, SB |
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| Posted about 4 years ago Hi I'm a new LPN grad and people have been saying for years that LPN's are going to be phased out. With the nursing shortage I dont see how this can happen. LPN are however phased out in a lot of hospitals. If nursing is your passion I would go for it wheather it be LPN or RN if you choose LPN you can transition to RN in as little as a year. I don't know of any transition from Medical assistant to RN. Medical assistants are very popular in doctor offices and clinics because they can be crossed trained into so many different roles but in my area the pay is not so great they make around $10 dollars an hr. Im sure that they make more in different areas. It ultimately depends on your situation if you are looking to get into the medical field quickly then I would go for it because the waiting list for medical assistants isn't usually as long as it is for nursing. If nursing is your ultimate goal then I would say go for that because maybe alot of your prereq's my transfer over to nursing but I dont think that much if any of your course work would. Well it's your time and money so good luck to which ever decision you make. |
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| Posted about 4 years ago It goes back and forth. I started as an L 25 years ago (RN now) and back then there was a push to eliminate LPNs. There are some roles where you just have to have a nurse. A Medical Assistant can never completely take over a nurse's role in some settings. Since there is a doctor in a doctor's office, the need for a nurse may seem less (though I think it unwise). LPNs play a huge role in long term care. They also have opportunities in other areas such as corrections, hospice, and industrial health. Hospital opportunities are drying up, that tends to be cyclical. It may bounce back. However, I would use LPN as a stepping stone and become an RN. More opportunities for career advancement and better pay. |
