Am I getting paid enough..??

latebirdie · Sep 30, 2013

Hi everyone. I have been an LPN for 18+ years. The First 5 years I worked in geriatrics in long term care and have worked for a few home health companies and specialized in peds for the last 13 years. I live near St.Louis Missouri. I make 18.00 an hour and work night shifts. I work part time by choice. I am intimidated to ask for a raise. I feel devalued because I am only a part time worker. Also I do not get a shift differential and they offer no incentives when they ask me to work weekends. I was curious if anyone could maybe give some support and advice on asking for a raise...?? I have done some research in my state. I have found that I'm not only receiving entry level pay but also well below the average hourly wage for Lpn's in my state working in and out of home health care. I've always had excellent reviews etc and the families always praise my work and dedication. I am working for a family that has not only has difficulty keeping nurses but also turns down many of the nurses my company sends out to care for their 16 year old son...who to be frank is difficult yet I have maintained a good rapport with him and I'm his only original nurse left after 10 months. He will eventually recover which is a good thing. I know I work part time, however, I also feel I should be atleast getting PRN pay...because they change my shifts whenever they feel it fits their needs (my company) ...or shift differentials/incentives etc. Anyway that was just a little background.. any thoughts? I've been mulling this over for months. I really do not want to start over somewhere else..I have too much going on right now. Thanks in advance. T[/quote']
Hmmm, I live north of stl, roughly an hour and a half, so probably not comparable, but here goes, I make 16.95 an hour, 30 percent more on weekends, and that includes my 15 years experience pay, maxed out at 10 years and night shift differential.

SDALPN · Sep 30, 2013

Sounds like PDN instead of agency.

But most companies give shift differential even to part time employees. I'm never afraid to ask for more and what I'm worth. The worst a manager can say to that is "no". If you aren't getting what you feel you are worth, go somewhere else.

Mem29 · Oct 23, 2013

Hi everyone. I have been an LPN for 18+ years. The First 5 years I worked in geriatrics in long term care and have worked for a few home health companies and specialized in peds for the last 13 years. I live near St.Louis Missouri. I make 18.00 an hour and work night shifts. I work part time by choice. I am intimidated to ask for a raise. I feel devalued because I am only a part time worker. Also I do not get a shift differential and they offer no incentives when they ask me to work weekends. I was curious if anyone could maybe give some support and advice on asking for a raise...?? I have done some research in my state. I have found that I'm not only receiving entry level pay but also well below the average hourly wage for Lpn's in my state working in and out of home health care. I've always had excellent reviews etc and the families always praise my work and dedication. I am working for a family that has not only has difficulty keeping nurses but also turns down many of the nurses my company sends out to care for their 16 year old son...who to be frank is difficult, yet I have maintained a good rapport with him and I'm his only original nurse left after 10 months. He will eventually recover which is a good thing. I know I work part time, however, I also feel I should be atleast getting PRN pay...because they change my shifts whenever they feel it fits their needs (my company) ...or shift differentials/incentives etc. Anyway that was just a little background.. any thoughts? I've been mulling this over for months. I really do not want to start over somewhere else..I have too much going on right now. Thanks in advance. T

I do not know what the base rate is for LVN. However, I do not understand why no shift diff for you. Most all places pay this that I know of. Please realize you have worth. There is nothing wrong with being part time that does not make you any less then anyone else. There is nothing wrong with making your needs known. As nurses, we tend to not care for ourselves as well as we do our patients. I would start making needs known. Do not apologize for asking for a comparable setup to others. I always think that "a laborer is worthy of his/her hire" -the Bible. Nothing asked, nothing gained.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 26, 2013

However, I do not understand why no shift diff for you. Most all places pay this that I know of.

My agency doesn't pay shift diff. This, of course, affects when I make myself available for them.