I work with a RN that trains new nursing staff. She has taught them (RN and LPN) that if you are not passing medication, assessments or patient education, then it is the responsiblity of CNA's, and what ever the RN tells a LPN to do, that is their responsibility. Need less to say, she is not liked real well because she treats everyone as if she is superior and we are nothing. And I thought we were all in this together for the patient and what is best for the patient.

Well, Al that makes no sense because LPNs pay scale is lower than RN so why get RNs from foreign countries when we have LPNs right here already!

Yeah, this Phase out is cyclical, been hearing about it since nursing school,. I actually saw the completed cycle at our local hospital. They weren't hiring LPN's when one was vacated, and placed Rn's in those slots. The problem was they couldn't keep the RN's happy and they lost them almost as fast as they got them. So now LPN's are comming back in.

The hospitals unfortunatley worry about cost. Money is the bottom line.

I will not in any way disparage nurses from other countries. I have worked with some nurses from other countries who had no clue, while others were truly awesome. There are several rpoblems in this, however. Some nurses from other countries come here to gain experience and knowledge or just for adventure. Then, they return to their own countries and make a much better wage than they could when they left there. Another problem is that the visa requirements have become too burdensome for most. The number of foreign nurses has actually dropped significantly in the last few years. H1B visas were being reduced before 9/11 and since then, the number issued have been slashed greatly.
The thing that grates on me the most is seeing hospitals passing over competent, experienced LPN's in favor of grad RN's, who have never taken care of a patient without someone standing over their shoulder. Some of them require orientation of up to three months in some areas. I've been known to work the same areas as an agency nurse, had about five minutes of orientation and by the end of one night, was keeping pace with staff who had been there for years. The same facility that utilized me as an agency nurse would not hire me as staff because I am "just an LPN".

I see this all the time. The doctors office wants and LPN but hires a MA due to they can pay them less. That in a sense is bringing the pay rate for LPN's down. In the facility where I am now, the CNA's make almost as much as the LPN's do. I didn't want to know what the CMA's were making after I heard that. I have been a little disappointed with them since my yearly reviewanyway due to the fact that only the standard cost of living raise was given. I am so much better than that and they should offer something more benificial for someone who doesn't call in and is always on time. I am not trying to toot my own horn, but when your residents come to you from other hallways to have you request that their nurse do something, something has got to give.

I don't know I am a new nurse to the field "LPN" just passed my boards and I will be going on asap for my RN. Anyway my cousin who lives in England was informing me that it seems that there are alot of people going to nursing school over there but there are not enough jobs for them all.. He says that alot of the nurses end up traveling abroad to find work and then may move back, I guess when they have more exp under there belt,. But he was amazed at the nursing shortage that we have here in the U.S.

our hospital has reduced the number of LPNs and there is of course a huge pay difference btw LPNs and RNs and not near what you would expect btw LPNs and CNAs. A local nursing home came to our graduating class last week, brought us pizza, a copy of their benefits package, and applications. They will start us out as LPNs at $4 an hour more than the hospital. True the hospital will give you a shift differential, but not $4. I am seriously considering going with LTC even though I want hospital experience. Their company has a good track record for working with students (I plan to continue to RN school) and they offer a good benefit package and own 11 LTC sites. I did enjoy the patients when I did clinicals at this site.

It is kind of scary to keep hearing people say they are phasing out LPNs though, we need LPNs especially experienced, dedicated ones. Of course I think the ones with all the experience are the ones experiencing burnout from the experience of being "used and abuse."

Charlita, I agree, it doesn't make sense in many ways. However, they can continue to market themselves by saying "our staff are all RN's". Note that does not state experience level. Note that it does not state that they do not utilize LPN's. But it's true. I have worked in CCU, ICU and IMCU as an agency nurse at various hospitals. Yet, when asking questions about possible staff positions, I was told in each case that they did not hire LPN's to work those areas. Same hospitals often requested me by name from my agency over many RN's the agency offered to send. They knew me, knew I was competent, skilled and got along well with the staff. Yet the letters behind my name were the wrong ones.
BTW, that post was actually meant for the topic on foreign nurses. That was where I wrote it, I thought. Oh, well. Same points seem fairly valid in the long term.

I've been a LPN, in nursing a long time and lived & worked in several states. I have seen the cycle of using and not using LPN's every place I've gone. This practice has never made sense to me, why not use the LPN. They go from primary care to team nursing and back again. The hospital where I live now is only using RN's and they are short of staff. There RN job list is very long. So they don't have adequate RN's but they won't hire the LPN's around here, no sense at all. The pts are the ones that pay for it. Since we've decided to live here there were no options for me but to go to school and become an RN. I like having the option of working LTC and acute, but I won't have it here as an LPN. My hands are tied as a LPN.

Theala, I agree... More and more, LPNs are getting the short end of the stick, not because of the quality of care, but because we have "bean counters" that are running our hospitals, it's unfortunate that our hospitals have become capital driven instead of care driven as they were originally intended. LPNs are right there, right next to RNs when it comes to patient care, we care for the patient, and doctors treat their ailments. A degree does not make a good provider. I would rather be cared for by an average LPN who truly cares than an outstanding RN that only sees me as another patient in her line-up. I think that most care providers are in, and stayed in, because we love what we do, I say keep up the good work where ever you are in the patient care circle, we are all in this together, without you, the circle would not be complete and we would not be able to effectively provide the best care possible.

I am 24 yrs. old. I am a Medical Assistant right now. MAs make $7-$10 hour here. LPNs $20-$32/hour. I like the fact that Everyone is going to school for RN. Hey more LPN jobs for me! I am a LPN student and would pick 1 year LPN training over 2-4 year RN training. I feel: Is the hourly wage really worth it if as an RN you are doing more paperwork than patient work? The more initials behind your name the more “liable” you become. Sad but true. There is absolutely nothing wrong with staying a LPN. As an LPN you could probably live with LPN wages and be very satisfied with your position. LPN’s like RN’s are still very much alike in their job duties and the pay. Their pay is usually only seperated by anywhere between $5 to $10 an hour. FYI: A LPN is a Nurse. Otherwise they wouldn’t be title Licensed Practical “Nurses”. Now CNAs can be considered Play nurses or even me as a Medical Assistant. I think every career is like that: My aunt is a middle school teacher and friends tell her all the time she’s not a real teacher real teachers are college professors? And my cousin is studying Dental Hygiensit and people are alread telling her thats not a real job she ought to be a actual Dentist. My other aunt is a RN with a Associates degree that means nothing anymore! RNs are getting there BSN, Masters and PHD. Some hopsitals here only hire management position RNs with a BSN. So my aunt is hearing she’s not a real nursing manager without a higher credential Although she has years of experienece (only 34 yrs old). Dont listen to other people!!!!! Here employers rather hire LPNs becaue they can pay them a few bucks less hourly than a RN they do the same work. There not phasing LPNs where i live they work in schools, daycares, hospitals, nursing homes, and jails? And there are a few nursing homes here that have LPNs as directors of nursing?

LPNs aren't used and abused. just very much used.

I have been an LPN for 42 years and when I went to school, it was for 2 years. I agree that the LPN will still be here for many more years. The talk of phasing us out is truly cycylical, as this was tried before and they were and did
hire all RN's even those who just graduated from school. Then they began having staffing shortages as they are now having and end up by using agency nurses. Not a good move as they have found out. I work at a LTCF and all the Unit Managers are LPN's. I also have seen RN's abuse LPN's, but these LPN's need to use the voice we all know
we have. They get treated like this because the RN has gotten away with this in the past. It wouldn' t happen here you can bet. I know how and when to use my voice!!!

Okay if you guys dont like being a LPN theny not just go for you RN?