Best employer for LPN in Tri-Cities Area

[LookingforChange]

Looking to move because child is grown and it feels like a good time to make a change. LPN with 7 years experience, combination of ER, med/surg, pediatric private duty. Johnson City Medical Center has a nice website with several openings, but I'm wondering from the pay, benefits, and work environment where would be the best place to start looking. I'm not real familiar with the different towns; just know its a beautiful part of Tennessee and looks like a good place to make a fresh start. Suggestions and information would be appreciated!!!

[luv4nursing]

Hi there, when I was an LPN I lived in FL and did mostly private duty (peds)...I worked for MAXIM Healthcare, there is a branch locally in Greeneville. I was making nearly as much as an LPN in FL than the hospitals start RNs at in the tri cities, but the cost of living is much lower here. I do know that the LPN rate at the hospital is very low, heck the RN rate is pretty low too...there are so many nursing programs in the area that the hospitals can get away with low wages bc there is nowhere else to go. You may come out ok with your experience and if you worked nights, the differential helps. I made a little more than an extra dollar an hour for my 2 years LPN experience when I accepted an RN position.

Actually, I just remembered the agency MSHA owns called Healthpro pays very well and offers the same benefits as the med center itself. You have to be willing to float somewhere different every day but you choose your schedule and the pay/benefits is very attractive! I would suggest looking into that!