[missdeevah]

I am a new LVN and I'm curious to know what everyone's first job was. If you don't mind please disclose the pay scale and also...if you were to do it over again, what would you have done different? I'm so confused as to where to start. I have just enrolled with excelsior and I'm waiting for my books to get here. So I have to consider having time to study. I've thought about the baylor plan or PRN at a LTC facility, but I wonder whether that would be best since I have no experience. Then I have also thought about trying for a hospital, but living in DFW, I know the pay would not be great, and I think they like experience anyway. So....after my long rant, your responses would be appreciated. Thanks.

[TheCommuter]

My very first LVN job was at a nursing home in Bedford, Texas (DFW area) in February 2006 at the pay rate of $17.75 hourly.

[scallywags]

My first job starts tomorrow in an outpatient clinic. Rate of pay is $24/hr to start, with an increase after the probation period.

[pagandeva2000]

First job is also an outpatient clinic in a hospital. Pay $38,000 per year. Not much, but, I am here because my facility paid my way through school, and I am on contract. I would not have done different, because (although I really do not like my place of work), I always wanted to become a practical nurse, and would not have been able to do so without that opportunity. I do enjoy being a nurse, because I like doing the skills, and LOVE patient teaching.

[bsn2b09]

Charge nurse in a convalescent hospital making $15/hr (back in 1999).

[Butterflybee]

This all sounds great..just wondering if you all had prior medical experience?

[missdeevah]

Originally Posted by scallywags

My first job starts tomorrow in an outpatient clinic. Rate of pay is $24/hr to start, with an increase after the probation period.

Wow, Scallywags! That much for a firt LVN job, and with a raise after probation? Sign me up now! Anyway, with pay like that, you were probaby somewhere in Cali, huh?

So would anyone have done anything different, or would everyone do it the same if you could do it over again? Any advice for a newbie nurse in DFW?

[midcom]

I don't have job yet but interviewed for 2 today. One is in a gastro clinic for just over $11 and hour (Iowa has the lowest pay rates in the nation). The other is in dialysis & it would pay a bit more & they supply scrubs so wouldn't have that extra expense. I was told at both places that they hire new grads but I suspect that I'll have a difficult time getting hired for dialysis. They require the IV certification & at least here in Iowa, you can't take the test until you have 2080 hours of experience.
Dixie

[scallywags]

I am a few miles south of San Francisco, so yes..California.

[Hospice Nurse LPN]

My first LPN job was in LTC making $11.50/hr. That was

in 96. My only medical experience was as a med tech in a group home. to the wonderful world of nursing!