How low should I go in salary?

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Hello,

I am a new grad LPN with no medical experience. I have been interviewed quite a few times for an office nurse position for an OB/GYN office with multiple doctors. (It will be a total of 4 occasions where they have asked me to come in and I have interviewed with 6 different people there). They typically hire medical assistants but have one LPN and are willing to hire LPNs. The responsibilities are the same though for the MAs and LPNs. On two separate occasions I was told during the interview process that this particular office does not pay a lot and usually starts their MA's out at $11/hr. How low is too low? I know I do not have experience as a nurse, but I feel also that I have worked too hard for my license and that I should have a "bottom dollar". I am currently employed and I'm not desperate for a job right away, but REALLY need to get the experience. It is acceptable to respectively decline a low hourly rate? Even if they offered me 12 or 13/hr I still don't know if that is on the low side for an office LPN.. I really like the office and the staff but I am prepared to decline if I get a low offer, I am just really unsure if I am out of line and if I should be taking what I can get as a new grad.. Any thoughts?

Thanks..

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Specializes in public health.

Where are you? In Colorado, MA starts around 10 and LPN $15 and up.

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I'd try to get an idea of the salary for LPNs in offices in your area. Maybe you could call a few offices and explain your situation and ask for the general range of pay. If you want to go a little lower than the norm for your area to get experience that wouldn't be the worst idea. But, you wouldn't want to find out later that you accepted a super low pay rate and feel resentful. Here in MA, I believe MAs make about $12-14/hr, LPNs make about $20/hr at LTCs, probably a bit less in an office setting.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I do think that's low but you have to decide if that fits in with the goals you have. I friend of mine who is an LPN makes $13-$14 but she's in a doctor's office. Another friend who's an LPN at a nursing home is making $19 to start and getting lots of great experience. You have to figure what experience you're looking for most and how the pay fits in to the decision. Good luck!

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Try salary.com for some numbers for your area.

Also, you say you are already working. Are you currently making more or less than what they offer?

How's the job market for LPN in your area? If you don't take this job, how long do you think it might take to find a higher paying position? Even though you are working now, it's best to search aggressively while you are still a fresh grad.

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Thank you all for your feedback. I am in Maryland. In my area, they always seem to be hiring LPN's so I am unsure if I should give it time and not jump on the first offer.. MrChicagoRN - Yes, I am working and would take about an $11,000/year pay cut accepting $12/hour if that was the approximate offer. I was prepared to take a pay cut as a nurse in an office setting which is ideal for me, but not that big of a cut :( Who knows, they haven't officially offered me anything yet, but they seem interested so I wanted to be prepared in case they do. I have done some research on my area and LPN's on the low side make around 15-16/hour and low 22-24 on the high side.. $11-12 just seems like a slap in the face when you can work for grocery stores and fast food places around here for that wage. I just feel stuck between a rock and a hard place because I always hear how hard it is for a new grad LPN (anywhere) to land a job, but don't want to feel resentful thinking I should be making more... It seems like my heart is telling me to wait a little longer but I don't want to be a year out thinking why didn't I take it?

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I make 14 as an emt in Atlanta and I just got offered a tech position in the er for over $15 .Although I'm just in nursing school I don't think I would take anything under that after busting my butt and passing the nclex

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ebrooks1013- I feel the same way.. I feel like I am grateful for any opportunities that come my way, but I worked far too hard for my license to go so low..

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

My opinion is $11.00/hr is a ridiculously low wage for an educated and licensed professional. I know wages are low in some parts of the country, but I don't care where you live a nurse should not be making the same as the person cooking a burger across the street.

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Thanks for the reassurance kbrn2002. I feel the same way but hear so many stories of new grads finding no jobs. I am glad I am not out of line and that others feel the same way. A few of my classmates also agree and wouldn't accept anything under $15 for our area. Thanks!

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