So what do you think the future holds for LPNs? Will scope of practice increase due to the shortage?

Doubtful. The scope of practice varies so much from state to state for LPN's. If you were to challenge and broaden  the scope, you would also have to provide the education for that. LPN programs are usually 12 months long in Pa; 15 if they are part time. You would have to work that into an already tight curriculum and there are not enough qualified instructors to do this generally. I think LPN's will always have a place in nursing, a very vital and important place, but I really don't see LPN's 'replacing' RN's simply because they cannot.

Thanks,

Headtrauma1 

Very old post, I know, but I was going over this and just had to respond. I agree that in some cases, an LPN cannot replace an RN. But, in many cases it is possible, particularly if you want experience. Given the nursing programs of today, many RN's graduate totally unprepared for hands on patient care. I have been an LPN for 18 years, and I can nurse circles around many of todays newly graduated RN's. I am sure there are other LPN's that will agree.

Maybe someday, state boards will consider allowing LPN's that fall into a strict category, to challenge the RN boards. Therein lies a partial solution to the 'nursing shortage'

MESSAGE BY: cgryder

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Very old post, I know, but I was going over this and just had to respond. I agree that in some cases, an LPN cannot replace an RN. But, in many cases it is possible, particularly if you want experience. Given the nursing programs of today, many RN's graduate totally unprepared for hands on patient care. I have been an LPN for 18 years, and I can nurse circles around many of todays newly graduated RN's. I am sure there are other LPN's that will agree.

Maybe someday, state boards will consider allowing LPN's that fall into a strict category, to challenge the RN boards. Therein lies a partial solution to the 'nursing shortage'

REPLY FROM: TAKNITEZE

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Thank you for the note that many of us older LPNs should be allowed to challenge the boards!!!!!! For the past 10 years I have been very slowly trying to finish my RN, but due to time constraints (have a family to support and just abandoned by my husband of 18 + years). Was finally ready to enter the Advanced Placement into the ADN program at a local community college (or so I thought when suddenly one Semester (3 SH) of Chemistry was not enough, they wanted to Semesters to create one unit) Needless to say I was not accepted into this years' program. It seems that any OLDER LPN is made to jump through more hoops than a trained monkey in order to try to gain their RN. Either allow a LPN with 10+ years of experience to challenge the board OR develope a program that allows older LPNs to have total access to the classes needed to obtain their RN without having to go through all of the repeated classes we have already taken (Micro, chemistry , A&P, etc.)Instead of whining and complaining about the Nursing shortage DO SOMETHING!!!

I may be beating a dead horse but I just want some answers. I feel the LPN is devalued by the CMT, CMA, or whatever the flavor of the month is. I have just received notice from the MDBON that now these individuals will be allowed to draw up and administer Insulin in assisted living & group homes. Where will this end....with the LPN being history and the assistant elevated to Nurse status without the benefit of education. This is dangerous!!!

I am writing all my congress people, who seem uninformed on this issue, the Board of Nursing for MD, who seems to see no problem with this issue, and ranting here. (check my other entries)

WHERE is ANY action from the LPN organizations??????  I had one response from a 'melanie' which I think is really a computor generated advertisment to get individuals to join the NFLPN. I really want a response, but I'm afraid I've got it already.......nothing!

Oh, yes, this a sore spot with me. When are the powers that be going to recognize the value of years of hands on nursing experience? Yes, a strict set of guidelines, say, a LPN with 10 + years of experience should be allowed to challenge RN boards. But, I know, I am dreaming.

In North Carolina it is illegal for anyone to refer to themselves as a nurse, if they do not carry a nursing license. And nurses are required by law to wear identification identifying themselves as RN or LPN when delivering patient care.

100% agree. . . they aren't teaching them much these days.  Maybe how to sign their name and look pretty:))

There has always been dissention in the troops and it hasn't gotten any better over the past 20 plus years that I have been in practice. With the RN community having so much control over what happens to the LVN population it is very doubtful any positive changes will occur.

In my opinion what we will begin to see is scope of practice changes that will tie the hands of the LVN to the point of being unemployable.

Look at Magna Status; this is simply one more way to send the LVN packing out of the accute care system and into the LTC/LTAC setting where most RN's believe is the only acceptable place for an LVN.

In my state our board merged into one single board to represent both LVN and RN communities. We are looking at a two to one RN/LVN on the board and in 5 years it will be even less. Literally moments after the merge we suddenly have a scope of practice which we never had in the past and were practicing quite proficiently. Needless to say this is not a favorable change for the LVN.

LVN's are and will continue to be slowly or not so slowly choked out and then what?..............Better be for packing on a few more clinical hours to the RN programs because there won't be any LVN's around to teach these new RN graduates how to do their job!!!!!!!

 

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T Kennedy

I have been an LPN for 30 years now, and I have been hearing this for as long.  I don't believe they will do away with LPNs, they can't, who will do all the dirty work.....SO cheer up guys, nothing to worry about.  Just another scare tactic. 

Here in CA you can challenge the RN boards if you meet certain educational and verifiable work hour requirements. If successful though, you may only practice in the state of California until you complete the corresponding theory classes and than you may practice nationwide.

Also LVN pay may be higher than in other states. 15-22 per hour for staff and up to 30 per hour in registry.

 

hope this helps.

 

ted 

I think the future is wide open for LPNs.  We are getting the respect we deserve.  We must hold ourselves to higher standards.  The scope of practice is increasing because we can do more.  We, historically, have been underutilized.  We can do everything an RN can do except "initial nursing assesments" in the state of Wisconsin.  You have to want the work.  Ask for it, and you'll get it.

LPN'S FOREVER!!!!!  Who will teach the new RN's, so they can be call the "nurse".

As an LPN of over 34 years I've heard for a long time that we'd be "phased out."  I haven't seen this happen during my career and I'm still working.  Nursing in our field has provided me a wide variety of assignments; everything from hospital ICU/CCU to home care and hospice.  It is true many of us can nurse circles around RNs.  A good LPN is invaluable.  MAs are not nurses.  Whoever is a "nurse" must hold a current license issued from the Board of Nursing to be called a "nurse."

 Wendy Newcomer, LPN, Richmond, Virginia