Ask an LPN (Questions about what we do and how to become one of us)

NurseBetty_RN · Oct 4, 2015

How long have you been an lpn, and what is the most you have made hourly?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 4, 2015

How long have you been an lpn, and what is the most you have made hourly?

I have been an LPN over 10 years, and have made 31.00 an hour. Currently, I have come out of acute care, and now am a supervisor in LTC.

NurseBetty_RN · Oct 5, 2015

Would you ever pursue an rn?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 6, 2015

Would you ever pursue an rn?

For me, no, I am happy to be an LPN in a place where I really like my job.

Not to say that being an LPN may be a stepping stone for some nurses. Depends on what you want to do.

KThurmond · Oct 7, 2015

Have you been able to work in a specialty? If so, what has been your favorite?

RainaLuzon · Oct 7, 2015

As a new LPN with no experience, do you think you make a livable wage? Becoming an LPN is something I've been considering in Lieu of an Accelerated BSN (I have a bachelor's degree already). What's scared me away from it is the rumored poor pay directly out of school. I've been hearing about 12-13 right out of school. hmmm. That actually sounds better than the 11.00 bucks I'm making now!

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Oct 7, 2015

As a new LPN with no experience, do you think you make a livable wage? Becoming an LPN is something I've been considering in Lieu of an accelerated BSN (I have a bachelor's degree already). What's scared me away from it is the rumored poor pay directly out of school. I've been hearing about 12-13 right out of school. hmmm. That actually sounds better than the 11.00 bucks I'm making now!

Not sure where you live, but where I live, I started at 16.00 an hour. I work LTC and have been in my position about 6 months now. The facility is giving across the board raises so am not sure what my new wage will be as I haven't been told yet.

NurseBetty_RN · Oct 7, 2015

As a new LPN with no experience, do you think you make a livable wage? Becoming an LPN is something I've been considering in Lieu of an accelerated BSN (I have a bachelor's degree already). What's scared me away from it is the rumored poor pay directly out of school. I've been hearing about 12-13 right out of school. hmmm. That actually sounds better than the 11.00 bucks I'm making now!

I work for an agency as a cna, but once I get my license I will work there as an LPN, and my starting pay will be $25/hr, it all depends on your location, I pretty much won't accept anything under $20, and if you already have a bsn why not just go for your rn? Why are you choosing LPN over rn?

RainaLuzon · Oct 7, 2015

I have a BA, not a BSN.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 8, 2015

Have you been able to work in a specialty? If so, what has been your favorite?

Fortunately, I was an LPN in a really small hospital at a time when LPN's were commonly used. I really enjoyed a lot of what others did not--the non-typical patients with strange dynamics. But clinically, I LOVED IV's.

Hospice was another favorite.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 8, 2015

As a new LPN with no experience, do you think you make a livable wage? Becoming an LPN is something I've been considering in Lieu of an accelerated BSN (I have a bachelor's degree already). What's scared me away from it is the rumored poor pay directly out of school. I've been hearing about 12-13 right out of school. hmmm. That actually sounds better than the 11.00 bucks I'm making now!

I would research what LPN's in your area are making, and where the jobs are. If there are little to no LPN jobs in the area, then you would be making nothing.

Same goes with a BSN--if there are little to no new grad nursing jobs that you are seeing, then it makes little sense--so you need to research.

And $12 or $13 may not be ideal, but dependent on where you live, and if that is a wage you can live on. Plus, differentials for working eves/nights/weekends...