| LPNs cost less to employ than RNs in a bad | | | | December 11, 2008) So what can an experienced, |
| economy. That's the good news-to a point. Although | | | | highly valued LPN do to remain competitive? Get your |
| in some locations LPN wages are not much higher | | | | RN degree. |
| than nurse's aides, according to the U.S. Bureau of | | | | Of course it's going to take discipline and sacrifice but |
| Labor Statistics LPNs earn an average of $31,080 - | | | | it's your only option for thriving in a shrinking LPN |
| $43,640 per year vs. RNs $47,710 - $69,850. The real | | | | market. Scope issues are defined by law and even in |
| rub lies in the scope of practice for LPNs which varies | | | | states with the most liberal scope laws LPNs will be |
| by-law from state to state. In many cases the scope | | | | unable to train and perform the complex procedures |
| of LPN use is so fuzzy it creates under-utilization or | | | | required of a rapidly aging population. It's not that |
| duplication of effort with RNs. That is not | | | | you're not capable, it's because the law says you |
| cost-effective. Even when scope is well defined, | | | | can't; not without an RN license--no matter how |
| there's a stark difference between LPN and RN | | | | much the health care industry lobbies the politicians |
| capabilities concerning comprehensive assessments, | | | | for broader scope. So where do you turn? |
| intravenously administered blood products and RN | | | | According to the U.S. Department of Health and |
| physician oversight just to name a few. If you add | | | | Human Services, Health Resources and Services |
| the swelling baby-boomer population scope becomes | | | | Administration, hospitals are particularly interested in |
| an even bigger headache for hospitals wrestling with | | | | hiring LPNs who are enrolled in RN programs and |
| quality care and tight budgets. | | | | working their way through school. Excelsior College of |
| The baby boomers are living longer and because of | | | | New York is one self-paced distance learning program |
| their advanced age their ailments are becoming more | | | | available to full-time employed LPNs. Worried you're |
| and more complicated. This forces hiring or | | | | not disciplined enough for a completely independent |
| converting LPNs to RNs because they are able to | | | | study experience? Kaylim Career Institute offers |
| perform more complex procedures and have | | | | classroom tutoring and lab experience based entirely |
| significantly more decision making power. According | | | | on Excelsior's learning model-one night a week four |
| to Pat Saunders, vice president of nursing for | | | | hours a night. |
| Hanover Hospital in Pennsylvania, "I think for anyone | | | | No matter how you fund your RN degree program, |
| in an acute-care environment, the literature is | | | | the time and money you spend are an investment in |
| absolutely clear that the better educated the | | | | yourself. The stock market can crash, housing prices |
| professional staff, the better patient outcomes are | | | | can fall and the dollar can deflate but one thing is for |
| going to be." (Central Penn Business Journal, | | | | sure. You control your most valuable asset-you! |