LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES IN VERMONT

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BACKGROUND

The Office of Nursing Workforce Research, Planning and Development has prepared this report in order to provide Vermonters with useful information on the status of Vermont’s nurse workforce. The licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a valued team member in many settings that provide health care to Vermonters. A survey of 1,434 licensed practical nurses with a 78% response rate, was completed in March, 2002. This survey was included in relicensure materials sent out by the Vermont Board of Nursing and was not mandatory. University of Vermont Biometry Facility coordinated the analysis of the results of the survey.

KEY FINDINGS

The sample consisted of 1,207 surveys from the LPNs who indicated they worked in Vermont in a position that required a current LPN license. Therefore, the following information describes only those LPNs who are currently in Vermont’s nursing workforce.

Basic demographics:

• 95% of LPNs are female, 5% are male
• 97% of Vermont LPNs are Caucasian
• Age range: 19-78 years     Median age: 46 years, 72% are over 40 years.

Education:

• 12% have other non-nursing degrees

Employment (setting of primary position):

• Long term care facilities employ 33%
• Hospitals employ 23%
• Physician, solo, group practices employ 21%
• Home health agencies employ 7%
• Assisted living facilities employ 5%
• Community/neighborhood health centers employ <3%
• "Other" settings employ <3%
• Schools employ <3%
• Mental health centers employ <2%
• A second job in a different setting was reported by 19%.
• 12% reported working per diem in their primary setting and 71% work per diem in their secondary setting.
• 9% are travelers (primary setting), 19% are travelers (secondary setting).
• 16 years is average # of years worked as LPN in Vermont.
• 78% reported patient care is primary activity, 18% reported management responsibilities.

DISCUSSION OF THESE FINDINGS:

Vermont is facing a nursing shortage that threatens the quality of health care in the state. Attention must be paid to recruitment and retention initiatives now in order to prevent a crisis in healthcare in the next 10 to 20 years. The role the LPN will play in alleviating the nursing shortage is yet to be constructed. This study has shown that LPNs are primarily employed in areas of known nursing vacancies: long term care (33%), hospitals (23%) and physician offices (21%). A literature review reveals evidence of the use of LPNs in providing creative alternatives to alleviating the nursing shortage in acute care¹, critical care settings², as well as successfully advancing into the bachelor of science in nursing program³. For these reasons, the strength of the LPN workforce should be acknowledged to ensure informed planning and sound policy formation regarding Vermont’s nursing shortage.