I just talked to a nursing recruiter about a perdiem position as a sub-acute CNA. I heard that Providence Mission Hospital will have a newgrad  LVN program  this July, and they might be starting up this May, was I wrong!!!. The newgrad program was for RN's, but it was at the hospital he works at only, I said, what happened  to your LVN's, he said that they got rid of all the LVN's,  so they use RN's and CNA's.  I said, I want to work with my LVN license, or I want the max for a CNA with 7 years of experience, the max is $21.72 an hour. The median is $15.50, perdiem, I told him I started out at UCLA Medical Center at that pay rate, which is $15.20, he said,  that it is better for me to work as a LVN, so I can make more,  money and use my License. So he will call the other hospitals to see when they have their LVN newgrad programs. He said he will keep in touch with me.

In NY, the LPN's in hospitals are already phased out. This started in 2006.  Basically you are in a nursing home, home care (limited) or a doctors office.  Even in nursing homes, they have one or two LPN's per shiift  to each administer meds, intakes, incidence reports, etc., with the majority being aides.  Now they are hiring "medication administers" and will train a person how to do it!  I have been looking for a part-time job 2 days per week and it is more difficult than I thought.  Hopefully the RN's will get burned out and the hospital administrators wil realize that it is cheaper and more beneficial  to hire  a FEW RN's to supervise/perform tasks we are not authorized to do, MORE LPN's to do the majority of patient care and SOME CNA's for the rest.  It's sad, because I wanted to work in a hopital to learn more.  At 47 years old the microbioloy does not come easy, besides the money it costs to further your career.

Hoag Hospital in Orange Couny, California phased out LVN's years ago.  We are also finding that not only new grad LVN's are having difficulty finding jobs, but also new grad RN's.  I have  21 years experience as an LVN, and 9  years  experience as a Certified Hospice & Palliative Licensed Nurse.  Also 15 years in Home Health Care. Plus 2-3 years in Mental Health & Substance Abuse.   I have found that I have gotten most of my jobs by word of mouth referral & recommendation.  I am currently listed as a Nursing Instructor at a private college in Southern CA.  I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Speech & Theatre Arts.  Due to the physical demands of my current job, I have been out on a Worker's Comp injury for 6 months for guess what?  Back Injury, the #1 difficulty experienced Nurses suffer. Be careful, it is a physically demanding job.    My point is, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE.  If you have to volunteer as long as it doesn't go against HIPPA, do so.  Your school cannot guarentee you a job.  They can help you with resume writing, professioal demeanor, etc.  We cannot make a Nurse out of you if you have chip on your shoulder, or don't STUDY.  Let me tell you this:  Nursing school is like no other school you will experience.  Expect HIGH pressure, need for Compassion, following orders & directions to the enth degree.  If you need to write a million care plans, do so.  If you need to know your meds, THAT is probably one of the MOST important areas of expertise we expect.  I, frankly, don't care, if I am a pt what grade you got on A & P, though it helps.  I care that you know WHERE & HOW to place a F/C or IV expertly.  Academics are important, but it is your skills that will raise you head & shoulders above the others.  Ten years ago they were talking about the same thing; phasing out LVNs.  But they found that we served a purpose.  The RNS handle the case management & the more administrative & more complicated matters..  They are our supervisors & I rely on a GOOD case Mgr.  You should also make yourself more relevent by diversifying yourself.  Get experience in different areas where  you can become valuable to anyone a a drop of the hat.   The most important thing is:  SMILE, be PLEASENT.  LISTEN.  Nursing school is just the beginning.  It's tough.  Not everyone makes it.  If you make it to the NCLEX, not everyone passes it.   Don't argue with your instructors.  We are tough for a reason.  Ours is a LIFE & DEATH Position.  You could kill somebody very easily if you are distracted or not paying  attention.  They only hire the BEST.  As well it should be.  Nursing is my Life.  My Life is Nursing.  If you don't feel that way, maybe you are in the wrong profession.  Phasing out LVNS?  I think it will come back around again.  But it is a good idea to go on for your RN, especially if you are young.  MUCH more money, and MUCH more opportunity.  I have had a fortunate career and have worked with some of the BEST Nurses in the business.  I can't wait to get back to work.  I'm proud to be an LVN.  I'm Navy trained.  Passed the NCLEX on my first try with on the job training, in the trenches.  You make your own life & education.  Don't become a victim .  And most of all:  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!  I DO!  GOOD LUCK

I have been a LPN for 13 years and a few months ago I was let go and a RN took my place in my job that I had.  I have been looking for a job and every place that I look they only want RNs.  The places that do want a LPN want to pay more than $10.00/hr pay cut than I was getting.  I have heard that with the so called healthcare reform they will be hiring more LPNs everywhere, but that hasn't happened yet.  My answer to my problem is I am going to school in a transition program for LPN to RN  and con't to look for work.

phasing them out is riducolus

its a damn shame they say nursing shortage nursing shortage.. Umm I sure don't see one what I see is ALLOT of people going to school for LPN and then they can not get any where it is a shame US LPN's are treated the way we are I know some CNAS that make MORE then LPNs..

I pray for all of us LPNs we will be ok be positive and know we are a great part of the nursing team no matter where we are...

The hospital where I am employed does not hire LPN's/LVN's.

The hospital near my home where I intended to seek work just got rid of their LVN staff recently.  Now they hire LVNs to work as CNAs only.  I noticed another hospital in the area phased out LVNs in the past couple of years.  Unless you want to work in home health for reduced wages, it is easier to find one of the few jobs available for only RNs.