I was working for Healthsouth in FL as a CNA/RNT until I got my LPN.. year later new DON comes in a cleans house of all the LPNs saying corperate wanted an RN only format... hope it doesn't make its way up to you guys...Originally Posted by nursefredrick
i know this post is from 08 but its jan 2009 and its still like this in these facilities they call skilled nursing/rehab/nursing home/LTAC, im from texas and my LVN graduating class is quickly learning that it is true the hospitals will not pay good wage for LVNS anymore 14-15 an hour, the only place you can make better is the skilled nursing/rehab 18-20 hr, or you can go to agency that will put you in these same facilities for 23 and up. However the pay is in these facilities they are dangerous for you to loose your license,and endanger patients, all my friends have agreed and are suffering under the same conditions i asked all of them to be real in conditions and each of them state the same thing the patient to nurse ratio SUCKS 20-1, NO JOKE, maybe 15-1 again NO JOKE, and night shift, they will give the whole hall NOW 30-1 or 40-1, with what they call a "MED AID" or the way the company justifies not paying another nurse on the hall, and they think you can handle the floor like this according to the other nurses older nurses its always been like this, these facilities are RUN BY LVNS, there is problably 15 LVNS to 1 RN, why because no RN will stand by (for too long)this when they can go to the hospital that will still **** PAY them but not put them through this hell of unjust patient ratio....this SUCKS WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR OURSELVES AND NOT LET THIS GO ON, if any one feels my pain and frustration , let me
oh yeah and once you reach RN status and you think the crap is over its not, REFER TO NNOC, national nurse union of CALIFORNIA, they are fighting for RN rights no one is fighting for LVN rights, ......???????
I think because of the reimbursement cut backs, the trends in acute care facilities will be changing during the next few years although it won't help anyone right now. Overall, jobs are relatively scarce for any nurse as hospitals are busy doing more with less but my guess is that the quest for Magnet certification will fall by the wayside, data supporting exclusively BSN prepared nurses will suddenly lose its impact in favor of cost containment. Those BSN positions will be lost to attrition and LPN/LVNs will replace them. I have worked with many fine LVNs and believe they are well prepared to take care of acute care patients. School only does so much and EVERY nurse has to learn the job while doing it and it depends on the individual as to whether or not (s)he rises to the challenge.
R
Re: Trouble getting hired in hosp??
The hospital where I intended to look for LVN work here in CA, got rid of their LVNs a couple months back. So there went that brilliant idea. At least one of my employers told me outright that I could not work for them when I get an RN license until I work somewhere else as an RN for at least one year. This is even though my job duties would be exactly the same.
LPN positions are available with Emeritus they have locations around the US.
http://emerituscareers.com/
Turnover is high at the place near me.......
These changes are a direct result of health care reform. Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlementhe ride gets bumby from here. Even RN wages are going to suffer under this new law. Let's only hope it can be repealed!
Please explain how this is a result of "the new Healthcare reform"?
the Hospitals in my area phased out LPNs long before Obamacare.. they did it because the LPN cannot assess.. or maintain certain more increasingly popular procedures such as Picc lines.. It was scope of practice, changing healthcare Practice models, and sicker pts that killed the acute care LPN.. at least down here in Florida.
As an new LPN I don't like it but it is next to impossible to find Acute care work.... but I was fortunate enough to get into a Acute Rehab hospital straight out of school (largely due to the years I worked there as a CNA) but was informed I was the LAST LPN they were hiring... only RN's at that point and that I had better have plans to start work on my RN. The downside is the area is practically a Nurse Mill with 4 schools putting out rounds of MA's, LPN's, and RN's as often as twice a year.... RN's have trouble finding work locally... over half my graduating class of 26 from 8 months ago still isn't working... I am only 1 of 2 with a fulltime position... so they know they can treat you however they want cause your not going anywhere without a Major relocation.
While it is true that utilization of LVN/LPN at the hospital level has gone down for years..... The simple truth about healthcare reform is that the capitated rates Hospitals and physicians receive from government funding are going to be cut severely up to 50% in some areas of medicine. Hospital's faced with a much tighter bottom line will cut all but the most essential staff. Some hospital associations are even lobbying for the creation of a medication technician. This position used in many single payor systems is essentially a medical assistant who passes medication. Much like a pharmacy tech in the psych hospital. RN will also become obsolete as hospitals figure out the NP can do so much more.
The fact of the matter is that healthcare reform will result in fewer hospitals, fewer physicians, and substandard nursing care all because monetary cuts will force good physicians and nurses out of the industry. I am already looking into alternative business opportunities.
Also noted in the the news this week Health Insurance companies are expected to raise their rates anywhere from 10 to 30% in 2012. Why because they know that all Americans will be required to buy health insurance or face criminal penalties so they have the average American by the short hairs. So much for affordable accessable healthcare.
Time to start hoping for change
Peace and Namaste
Hppy
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote