As an RN would you ever take a job as...

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As a registered nurse would you ever take a job as an LPN? I'm not asking IF you can take a job as an LPN (legally and all that), I'm just asking if there are any RNs out there that would. I'm an RN and I have a potential job offer at a surgery clinic and I'm really excited about it. I've heard great things about working there. They pay 18 an hour. That is only 3 dollars less an hour than I make in a hospital on day shift.

I'm lucky enough that I'm not hard up for money. And to be honest, I would take the 3 bucks less an hour to have a job that I ACTUALLY LIKE, in an environment I like, and hours that work for me.

So...would you take an LPN job? Or is that just kinda crazy? AND. Would you put it on your resume you are willing to take LPN salary?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I personally would not. I would be concerned about issues between scope and standards of practice. I'm hired as an LPN, but held accountable to the level of the RN since that is the highest license I hold.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Nope.

I went to school to be a Registered Nurse, not a LPN. Besides with all the legalities and liabilities, I doubt that is such a wise idea.

There are plenty of RN jobs outside acute care. Don't take a job away from a qualified LPN.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

So you will basically be working as a RN for LPN pay? /scratches head

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If money isn't a problem (spouse makes lots and lots of money), why wouldn't you go for job satisfaction? I wouldn't mention anything about salary on the resume.

There are some RN jobs I would not work for double my wage.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

No I would not since you're held to the RN license, but for less pay. I debated the LPN program when I was looking at schools initially but I decided to get my degree.

I'm not sure why anyone would want to accept an LPN line as an RN, given that the scope of practice is different.

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Specializes in Pedi.

If you are not an LPN, you cannot work as an LPN. So you will be working as an RN for LPN pay. Nope, wouldn't do it. $18/hr is 1/3 less than I made at my first nursing job ever, I made nearly that much answering the phones and updating excel spreadsheets at a town office when I was in college.

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Is your job description going to remain LPN, or are you just being paid at the LPN rate? I've known many RN's that work at the LPN level in extended care home health but they sign their notes with RN (for those who also hold LVN licenses), are paid whatever the employer agreed to pay them, and I am fairly certain that none of them go out of their way to indicate on their resume that it is an "LPN/LVN" job versus an "RN" job. If I were doing this I would not use the phrase "LPN/LVN" in the job description on my resume. If you think you might enjoy the job and $18 an hour (nothing to sneeze at in some circumstances) does not bother you, I would not give a rat's behind what others think, take the job and enjoy it.

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You may be doing a job that an LPN is capable of doing, but you are not an LPN and will not be working an "LPN job." If you think you'll be happier, take the job. $18/hr. is plenty of play money if you have other means of support.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Hmmm...

They want to pay you LESS and if Sugar Honey Ice Tea goes down, the risk of holding your license to the highest standard will occur; I would rather be held to my highest license, but that's me.

Plus, I wouldn't want to contribute to the increasing battle to lower nursing salary either-I would negotiate to at least 2 dollars more, so the salary can be comparable to the hospital setting, if you are saying it's 3 dollars less, then negotiate to the two dollars; don't just take a salary lying down, regardless of your current position; things happen, and you want to be in the best position possible.

This would and could be a job that gets you to another position, even in a hospital if you choose to do so; if you want this job, at least be empowered enough to advocate for a comparable salary; nurses advocate, and should advocate to be in the BEST position. :yes:

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Well depending on the state you in it wouldn't be much of an issue. In states with liberal LPN practice acts there would potentially be no tasks that an LPN couldn't do in a surgical center.

If your state is one of those then really your being hired as a NURSE. If the faculty choose to hire a licensed practical NURSE or a registered NURSE. It would seem just a matter of semantics which candidate they would hire, and pay of course.

as to being held to your RN standards even though your occupying an LPN position, again depending on your state practice act there may be minimally different standards. That may not apply in a facility that is doing outpatient/day surgery.

If at the end of the day it's the job you want to do then don't get hung up on the title that was posted on the job listing. Generally the persons posting the job have only a general knowledge of the differences between an LPN and an RN anyway. A job being listed as RN has never stopped me applying if I believe I am qualified and able to do the work under my own qualifications, so I can't see why it would stop you.

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Specializes in ER.

If money is no object, take the job you will personally prefer.

My current base pay is $40 hourly. I'm heading toward retirement and plan on milking it for all it's worth. I don't have a husband with a good job, but am on my own.

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