Need opinions on new grad BSN RN with 3 years as LPN pay increase

Nurses New Nurse

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So I've been working at a SNF/LTC facility for 3 years as an LPN. I am now an RN and just found out about my pay raise. As a PRN LPN I was making 20.29/hr. Without PRN pay it would be $17.29/hr. I was told that new grad RN's are hired at $20/hr. Therefore my new pay for being a PRN RN will be $23/hr. I'm a little dissappointed that my 3 years as an LPN at the same facility has not been factored into my pay raise. I have always gotten great performance reviews and complements by management.

Am I just being overly sensitive?

Do you think this is an acceptable pay raise?

Thanks for reading!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Some facilities consider LVN experience on a 1-for-1 basis, meaning that 3 years' LVN experience is 3 years' nursing (note, I did not specifically say RN, but nursing) experience.

Others consider it on a 2-for-1 basis, meaning that for every 2 years of LVN experience, you'd get credited with the equivalent of 1 year of RN experience.

And still others couldn't give a damn about it and will consider you an inexperienced new grad whether you have 1 or 20 years' LVN experience.

Crazy and sometimes unfair, I know. But the reality is that you ARE a new grad RN and even with LVN experience under your belt, you're still going to be at the bottom of the pay ladder.

IMO, focus on getting your first year of RN experience because that will serve you more in the long run than trying to get the highest new grad salary you can...because let's face it: not a lot of places are hiring new grads right now. Don't give up a guaranteed new grad job for the sake of a couple bucks an hour more.

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Thanks for the reply. The only reason this is upsetting me is because it's the same facility that I've been working at for 3 years as an LPN and now an RN. It's not like it's an entirely new work place. I am not trying to get the highest new grad salary just recognition for the 3 years I've already worked there.

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Unfortunately, these days, you're lucky to have a job at all as a new grad.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You are getting $3.00/hr more...what did you think you would be making?

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I wasn't sure what I would be making. Two years ago the new grad RN pay was 21/hour so I assumed that would have at least stayed the same and not decreased. My new pay will only be 2.71 more per hour. They start out new grad LPN's at 16.50/hr and apparently new grad RN's at 20/hr. Thats 3.50 more per hour.

It's really not the money I'm upset about. It's the fact that a facility I've worked hard at for 3 years isn't even factoring in that experience when giving me a pay raise.

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It's really not the money I'm upset about. It's the fact that a facility I've worked hard at for 3 years isn't even factoring in that experience when giving me a pay raise.

I certainly understand your being unhappy about the situation, but lots of places don't give people any credit for previous LPN experience when they become new grad RNs. The roles and responsibilities are significantly different. And, in the current economy and employment environment, there's no reason or need for facilities to be any more generous with employees than absolutely necessary. :(

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I understand that, but at my job I will be doing the exact same thing as an RN as I have been doing as an LPN. The only difference is that I can now pronounce people when they die. That really is the only difference. Oh and it just looks better for them to be able to say they have one more RN on staff. If it were a hospital then I can see how the roles can be very different for the LPN's and RN's, but not where I work.

I didn't realize that a lot of places don't give credit to previous LPN experience when hiring a new grad RN. Most hospitals in my area do, but I had no idea until know about how SNF/LTC's do it.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Where I live previous PN experience counts for nothing. A new grad RN will start at the bottom of the RN pay scale.

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I understand that, but at my job I will be doing the exact same thing as an RN as I have been doing as an LPN. The only difference is that I can now pronounce people when they die. That really is the only difference.

You may be doing "the exact same thing" at your present place of employment, but, legally, the scope of practice, expectations, and accountability are significantly different between LPNs and RNs.

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Well I know the scopes of practice are different between the two, but most of the things that LPN's legally can't do we don't even do them here anyway. Therefore the duties and responsabilities are the same at this facility, except for the few excetions I listed. We don't do IV push unless its a NS flush, we don't do blood products or anyother complex procedures. If something complex happens we send them out to the hospital.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Well I know the scopes of practice are different between the two, but most of the things that LPN's legally can't do we don't even do them here anyway. Therefore the duties and responsabilities are the same at this facility, except for the few excetions I listed. We don't do IV push unless its a NS flush, we don't do blood products or anyother complex procedures. If something complex happens we send them out to the hospital.

Then to flip your argument around, if you aren't bringing any additional value to your employer or patients by becoming an RN, why should they even pay you the extra $3?

You can always go to them, tell them you are a known quantity to the company, have proven yourself to be a solid performer, and aren't planning to go anywhere. Never hurts to ask.

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