Young new male nurse concerns

psu_213, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2012

A male RN here...

Unfortunately I have no idea what an LPN in LA makes, the benefits, etc. so I can't help you there.

In my time as I CNA/RN I only had one instance that even bordered on discrimination (although I don't consider it such). As a CNA, the DON at a facility refused to allow me to change shifts saying "we already have 2 male CNAs on that shift...I can't have another one since there are some residents that refused to have male aides take care of them." Not that I cared all that much, but they would either work short on that shift or they would have an agency aide come in...sometimes a male. Whatever....

Since then, never a mention of my gender nor have I ever felt like I had less of a shot at a particular position because I am a male.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2012

I have on occasion had female patients refuse to let me put them on the bedpan or take them to the bathroom, help with personal needs, etc. Other than that, I generally find females open and friendly to having me take care of them. Joking with them, being open and friendly helps.

DPU-RN · Feb 10, 2012

I guess my first question is why do you have no ambition to become an RN? I get it, different strokes for different folks, but LPN and RN are so similar I just don't get why you wouldn't want to do that. I am not sure about LA, but in the Chicagoland area RN's make a good amount more money than LPNs - my mother being an RN and my aunt being an LPN. As far as raising a family, it all depends on how much you work and whether or not your partner works. Sure you could work a ton and make more money, but at that point you wouldn't be spending much time with your family..

macgirl · Feb 10, 2012

Well let me say this an RN makes about $10.00 hr more. They can EAT: Educate, Assess, and Teach. It's only about a year more. I don't know about your state pay wise. That said as a patient I wanted a female for personal care (bath & bedpan). When the male nurse came in he introduced himself and told me I could have a female for that, if I wanted. AS for Discrimination, Males can have an advantage over females. They get hired first in ER, Ortho and Psych. Due to the fact that they have more strength. Also the doctors treat them with more respect. Saw this at DUKE, They were all upset about something said they were get on the nurse about it. They were yelling on the phone, but when a male showed up, they got whole new attitude, (over and over again). Not sure why they thought it was ok to speak that way to a female, and not a male nurse, but maybe they thought a male might sock them one.

MrWarmHearted · Feb 16, 2012

you can find that info from informational interviews (which you have to do yourself)

elavalley3 · Feb 17, 2012

Hi everyone, i officially enrolled in an LPN Program last week, got my classes set, and i begin early May. Being a a Nurse LPN, feels like it is what i am called to do with my life, and my aunts a Nurse, and she says she knows that i will make a great nurse because of my personality. A just have a couple of concerns, i know as a male nurse i may be discriminated agaist a little more, and i a plan on raising a family some day. I am a little worried about my salary as an LPN, willl it be enough? Before anyone says yo can always go back and get your RN, just know that i have know that i have no ambition to be an RN, And whats the starting salary of an LPN in louisiana? Which place of employment pays the most salary and offers the most benefits for LPNs, hospital, nursing home, home health agency, clinics! I know made the right decision! I just need omeone with a little wisdom to say something positive to settle my worries LOL!

I myself just finished my LPN program and in my experiences on clinical I have never seen any discrimination based on my sex. Sure, I had patients every now and again that would request a female to provide their cares. But being respectful , introducing yourself and talking with them most of them had changed their minds and let me take care of them. For some of the older generation its just not what they are used to.

Now I cannot say what LPN's make in LA , salary.com is a good resource for that. I do know , however, here in PA LPN's make anywhere from 19-32/hr depending on what setting you choose to go into. In most areas Long Term Care and Agency PerDiem work tends to bring in the most dollars if you're lucky enough to get in with a good reputable Home Health agency you can make some good dollars as well.Hospitals and Clinics in my area either dont pay well enoough or do not let you practice within your scope. I for one did not go to school to be a glorified CNA, no offencse meant to the hardworking CNA's out there.

Bob_N_VA · Feb 19, 2012

Long term you may want to rethink going for RN. Of course its all dependent on location, but in many areas they are moving away from LPN's to using RN's. Plus, an LPN salary isn't going too go to far supporting a family in LA or anywhere for that matter. The fact that you are in a program right now is very good, just keep your future options open. There are bridge programs available that will take you from LPN to RN in about 12 months.

andrewmiller1 · Feb 22, 2012

Actually from what i have heard and my pesonal experience generally male nurses are more welcomed by the patient and staff. I am from Idaho and graduate in May from an RN program. Also from what I've heard and we have a saying here an LPN stands for low paid nurse so might as well go for the RN