Questions for lpns in Maryland?

SushiJoe · Jul 3, 2012

Hi, while I'm not a recent graduate, I'd like to offer you my experience. I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and yes the overwhelming majority of hospitals here have stopped employing LPNs in order to comply with "magnet status". However LPNs are very much needed in all ancillary services outside of hospitals. I used to work in the corporate finance and IT fields before deciding to become a nurse. I had two choices, go to LPN school for 12 months or a local ADN program for 24 months at the shortest ( with possible wait listing after prereqs

SushiJoe · Jul 3, 2012

) I knew that I could not go 2-4 years without working, and wouldn't be able to work days with clinicals. So I opted for the LPN program that has an agreement that all of my credits are excepted into the RN program should I chose to continue (with no waiting list). I volunteer at a hospital that only hires RN's. I used to freak out about wether I should be skipping LPN altogether, and the nurses that I work with have all assured me that what you and I have been worried about couldn't be further from the truth. Most hospital nurses will encourage you to get your RN, but do not mistake that for discouragement for your LPN. In the last few years, many states have been closing the difference in scope between what LPNs and RNs are allowed to do according to the BON. This is somewhat deliberate. Facilities that can employ and LPN to meet their needs instead of an RN will most likely do so, and continue to do so, as it is cost effective. Also, the split is due to the fact the hospital stays are now mostly for the very ill, and in many cases require an RN, and it can be a burden to have a LPN need a RN to sign off on their work.For what it's worth

Ash25ley · Jul 4, 2012

I'm glad somebody understands where I'm coming from and you definitely gave something to think about. :) Thank you so much!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 4, 2012

Moved to Maryland Nursing forum to elicit further response.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2012

I'm a new grad and I experienced a lot of difficulty with trying to find a job. Most of the nursing homes in the area want LPN's with experience. I am currently working in a detention facility in Northern VA & make $21/hr. It's pretty stressful, but it's a job.

Ash25ley · Jul 10, 2012

Yea it's a job but hey something is better then nothing. Also $21/hr is pretty good I know a LPN in MD that works at a nursing home and she is making about $17/hr and I almost make that much as a Nurse tech!! But idk, I think I'd be afraid to work at a detention center, I didn't know LPN"s could work there.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2012

Yea it's a job but hey something is better then nothing. Also $21/hr is pretty good I know a LPN in MD that works at a nursing home and she is making about $17/hr and I almost make that much as a Nurse tech!! But idk, I think I'd be afraid to work at a detention center, I didn't know LPN"s could work there.

I'm surprised! My last job at a nursing home was in 2011 as a GNA & I made $15.92/hr( differentials were added b/c i was PRN and the PRN employees got paid more). The medicine aides got $18-19/hr. Maybe she works in a rural area?

Yeah, LPN's can most definitely work in jails. Mainly we do med pass, take vital signs, perform intake screenings, and give PPD injections(and read them). The RN's handle sick calls, detox vitals, assist the doctor, and also handle the diabetic's insulin injections. You should most definitely try it if you're interested. Conmed Healthcare Management, MHM Healthcare , Corizon, and Wexford are some companies that handle the contracts in this area. Check them out :)

dahlias · Jul 16, 2012

Great info! I am getting ready to apply to the LPN program and I'm pretty research crazed. I found this to be really helpful and everyone I've asked says it's pretty accurate. CareerOneStop: LPN Wages in Maryland. Hope that helps & good luck!

rayshettabrown · Jul 28, 2012

Kaiser permanente hires LPNs with 1 yr experience the starting salary of$20-29...its a union job

eklecticsol · Aug 11, 2012

i have a question for nurse2b kimberly.. i am begining the lpn program here in philly and will be done next aug.. im from pg county orig and i wantvto come back so bad after graduating and do bsn at howard or bowie state... how often do they hire prison nurses in nova .. ive always been interested in prison nursing!

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2012

i have a question for nurse2b kimberly.. i am begining the lpn program here in philly and will be done next aug.. im from pg county orig and i wantvto come back so bad after graduating and do bsn at howard or bowie state... how often do they hire prison nurses in nova .. ive always been interested in prison nursing!

Hey good luck with the lpn program. if you're considering a bridge program though I do not think BSU has one. I know Howard has one though. Anyways to answer your question, I see openings quite often in this area for corrections positions. The jails in Baltimore & Anne Arundel County tend to put them out a LOT. I haven't seen any for my particular facility in a while, but things could always change. There's a lot of different corrections companies around like Corizon, Correct Care Solutions, MHM, and Wexford. I think you can get e-mail alerts sent to you whenever they have new openings.