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Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?



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Jun 10, 2008 09:35 PM

Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?


Can somebody please help me to understand why RNs are paid so poorly in LTC?

I love my job in a LTC/SNF. I started 2 1/2 years ago as a Nurse Tech, worked through school to LPN, and finished school in March, passed my boards and received a whopping $1.25/ hr raise from LPN2 to RN. What gives?

I finally have developed confidence and defined myself as a very good nurse (I feel) but I'm frustrated that pay is so poor, at least compared to the hospitals. There is very little incentive to stay. Please understand, it's not all about the money, but it's a little about the money! I haven't left to the hospital that will pay me $5.00 more an hour because I love my job and I love this population.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Teresa

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22 Comments
No. 1
from Xbox Live Addict
Old Jun 10, 2008, 09:59 PM
Updated Jun 10, 2008 at 10:02 PM by Xbox Live Addict

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
Originally Posted by TeresaB930 View Post
Can somebody please help me to understand why RNs are paid so poorly in LTC?

I love my job in a LTC/SNF. I started 2 1/2 years ago as a Nurse Tech, worked through school to LPN, and finished school in March, passed my boards and received a whopping $1.25/ hr raise from LPN2 to RN. What gives?

I finally have developed confidence and defined myself as a very good nurse (I feel) but I'm frustrated that pay is so poor, at least compared to the hospitals. There is very little incentive to stay. Please understand, it's not all about the money, but it's a little about the money! I haven't left to the hospital that will pay me $5.00 more an hour because I love my job and I love this population.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Teresa
RNs are primarily utilized in supervisory positions in LTC. Though it varies from state to state depending on scope of practice, in most places, there just isn't much in LTC outside of an LPN's scope of practice, and most of that has to do with care planning. If you want to stay in LTC and love it, you will probably do well as a DON, if you are willing to shoulder that kind of responsibility. If you don't want to do med-surg nursing in a hospital, your RN license would also be well-utilized in psychiatric care.
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No. 2
from SuesquatchRN
Old Jun 10, 2008, 10:45 PM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
It depends are where you are. Pay for an RN here is comparable in either.
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No. 3
from TrickieTam
Old Jun 12, 2008, 08:17 AM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
It opposite here. LPN in LTC makes more than an RN in hospital. Whereas RN in LTC makes more than one in hospital. I was offered very low pay as an LPN in hospital and ran back to LPN.
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No. 4
from Xbox Live Addict
Old Jun 12, 2008, 06:02 PM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
Originally Posted by TrickieTam View Post
It opposite here. LPN in LTC makes more than an RN in hospital. Whereas RN in LTC makes more than one in hospital. I was offered very low pay as an LPN in hospital and ran back to LPN.
Around here, LPNs make more in LTC than many RNs do in acute care - at least the newer ones. The RN pay scale is improving gradually though. But this part of the country has one of the poorest pay scales for nurses in any field. Pay for new grad LPNs is much higher in many parts of the US than pay for experienced RNs in my state.
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No. 5
from Chloe'sinNYNow
Old Jun 13, 2008, 07:22 AM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
Hey y'all,
I'm one of the over-read, nee booksmart but not reality-ready, underskilled, new grads who HATES hospital nursing, and find that I might just be better in a nursing home environment.

I discovered in my interview the other morning that I'm looking at a paycut of almost $10k per year. But then I figure in, better hours, cleaner environment, much happier facilty (both employees and the residents that are A&O) with upward mobility for adminstrative positions and I think it's worth it.

Then I look at the amount of debt I incurred for going to an Ivy League N.S. and losing potential to have an easier lifestyle outside of work now that I'll have the time and energy to do so...

What IS the better of the two evils? Which is the lessor stressor? I'm leaning towards doing LTC for my sanity and renting for awhile...

Chloe
RN-BSN, BA
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No. 6
from bluegeegoo2
Old Jun 13, 2008, 11:29 AM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
The better of the 2 evils is the one where you can retain some semblance of sanity. I don't know which one that will be for you, but I can tell you that if money would be the only reason to stay at job A, I would choose job B. No amount of money is worth the constant stress and BS some jobs provide.
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No. 7
from JB2007
Old Jun 13, 2008, 11:38 AM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
"No amount of money is worth the constant stress and BS some jobs provide."

I totally agree.
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No. 8
from Chloe'sinNYNow
Old Jun 14, 2008, 07:38 AM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
I think I agree w/ the sanity over the money. No. That's not right. I do agree. I just need to figure out how not to let the debt stressor overtake me now.

Now that I'll have sanity and quality of life, I won't be able to afford it. And part of my rationale for taking on nursing at 40 yo, was to have some semblance of stability and quality of life. I certainly didn't think I'd be making the 6 figure salary that so many seemed to think I would be making. I'm sure that's out there for some, but all I ask is that I not be struggling and undervalued for the increased responsiblity that LTC insists I take on plus the years of school debt to repay. I'm looking at a $10k/yr drop in salary. That's huge y'all.

Pretty scary stuff making life-altering decisions!!

Chloe
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No. 9
from JB2007
Old Jun 14, 2008, 06:25 PM

Default Re: Why are RNs underappreciated, underpaid in LTC?
Chole,
I hope that you do not think that working in the nursing home will be less crazy than working in the hospital. It is just a different kind of crazy (one I happen to enjoy most days).
Now back to the money issue: There will be over time more often than not, especially at first. That should help to make up the difference in pay.
Personally, I do not understand why RNs are not better compensated in the nursing home. When the crap hits the fan we will be held to a higher standard due to our RN. I have thought many times that I should have saved myself the hassel (and the money) and gotten my LPN. I would have had a lot less debt (I hate my student loans).
Before anyone misunderstands me, I have the highest respect for LPNs. I turn to more experienced LPNs for advice all the time. In fact, I would have been lost the first couple of months without my LPN supervisor (she is the best).
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