Can I make a decent living if want to stay an LPN?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hello everyone!

I'm just curious. I was planning on getting my ADN, but the wait is just unbearable. I have decided instead to try my luck as an LPN instead. If I do become an LPN, is it really necessary to continue on to RN? I'm 28, so I have many working years ahead of me. Will I be able to make a decent living if I decide to remain an LPN?

As the daughter of two social workers,I have learned that job satisfaction is far more important than money. However, I am getting sick of ramen noodles!

I really appreciate your input!

well it all depends on what you consider a decent living and what your spouse does if any.. my situation is this: I live in new york and married to a hard working blue collar guy! i just started a job at a local hospital and the hourly salary is $21.00, but I work nights so that entitles me a 11% increase in my pay. So you are looking at $24.00 hourly. Now for me that is good considering I just graduated in march. If you have the opportunity to work over nights (7am to 7pm), do it!! you make better money, less hassles, no supervisors present, and the patients for the most sake are sleeping! The only thing you are responsible for is your med pass and maybe a treatment here and there!! So good luck with everything and go for it! Become and LPN!!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Really depends on what you need to have what you consider a good standard of living. I live in central IL where the starting wage for an LPN is $11-13/hour. In my area, the factory workers make more than that! Starting for an RN is $17-19/hour. Our cost of living is much less than New York though.

What does your money buy in your area? Are you able to live in a safe area? Do you have a house of an adequate size for your family? Things to consider. Good luck.

After you get your LPN, check out www.excelsior.edu as soon as possible if you can do self-paced studying. There seems to be so much more opportunity as an RN! :D

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

so much depends on where you live and what you consider "a decent living". i work for a hospice company (lpn) and make more than my friend (rn) does at our local hospital. we both have between 10 and 12 years experience. good luck to you!

Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.

Impossible without doing OT imo for the average lvn. This is living by yourself. Add a spouse and kids to the mix and forget about it.

Wow thats all they pay in IL? i guess its equal to here in ny. I live on Long Island.. its rediculous over here to buy housing.. can not find a 3 bedroom house for less that $300.. So I might just haveto to go back for my RN. Heard alot of good things about Excelsior college. Anyone familiar with it?? I would love some feedback. I don't know anyone that has done it through them and i am kinda nervous.. So please give some advice if you can.. thanks and good luck to all!!

Dawn, NY

Really depends on what you need to have what you consider a good standard of living. I live in central IL where the starting wage for an LPN is $11-13/hour. In my area, the factory workers make more than that! Starting for an RN is $17-19/hour. Our cost of living is much less than New York though.

What does your money buy in your area? Are you able to live in a safe area? Do you have a house of an adequate size for your family? Things to consider. Good luck.

Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.

The average home price is about $345,000 in this area or more. You can't afford that and live decently on an LVN wage.

Wow average home in Sac, Ca is 345?? You guys are in the same boat we are... Where I work luckily they do have overtime available, but its hard to do when you have family and a life to run. What do the lpn's make out in Ca?? Just curious to know.. By the way i love you state!! Never made it up to Sacramento but been to La and San Diego.. Would love to retire and live over there!! :o)

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I live in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, where LVNs can earn a decent living without overtime. You'll also need to take into consideration the fact that the cost of living is lower than in other geographic regions of the U.S.

I currently earn $19.00 hourly at a nursing home, and only work 2 days per week (Saturday and Sunday). I work a 16 hour shift on Saturday, and another 16 hours on Sunday for a total of 5 days off per week. My lifestyle is comfortable and middle-class. My 1,800 square foot house is only 3 years old, and my 2 vehicles are newer (2006 Toyota Corolla and 2005 Chevy Silverado truck). I never live paycheck to paycheck, and presently have enough money saved to live on for 12 to 18 months in case I become unemployed or too sick to work. By the way, I am single with no husband or boyfriend to help out.

Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
I live in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, where LVNs can earn a decent living without overtime. You'll also need to take into consideration the fact that the cost of living is lower than in other geographic regions of the U.S.

I currently earn $19.00 hourly at a nursing home, and only work 2 days per week (Saturday and Sunday). I work a 16 hour shift on Saturday, and another 16 hours on Sunday for a total of 5 days off per week. My lifestyle is comfortable and middle-class. My 1,800 square foot house is only 3 years old, and my 2 vehicles are newer (2006 Toyota Corolla and 2005 Chevy Silverado truck). I never live paycheck to paycheck, and presently have enough money saved to live on for 12 to 18 months in case I become unemployed or too sick to work. By the way, I am single with no husband or boyfriend to help out.

When your single and living in a low cost area you can make it as an LVN. Texas is low cost for a reason, but I digress hehe. The problem with California is it seems everyone and their brother is wanting to live here. And as such the home prices reflect that. Having lived in Texas before, people weren't exacly flooding into the state, (other than from Mexico)....which is not a bad thing mind you as the cost of living is tied to peoples desire to live somewhere.

I have earned $45,000 this year (as of my last pay check stub) and I do not make a "decent living" because I have a son and a stay at home mommy to support. I get by as a middle class guy with money in the bank and a house, but I would be a lot more comfortable with about a $5 dollar an hour raise. Maybe I just have extravagant taste and like to go on too many trips, buy lots of goodies for the son and wife, who knows. A six figure salary would allow a lot more wiggle room. I'll make between $70 - 85,000 this year as I am backing off on the OT. In northern California, you really need more unless you are a hobit or packrat that saves every penny and never goes out. Life is too short so I live it to the fullest and spend the money I worked hard to earn, not all of it of course.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Having lived in Texas before, people weren't exacly flooding into the state, (other than from Mexico)....which is not a bad thing mind you as the cost of living is tied to peoples desire to live somewhere.
Actually, Texas is one of the 5 fastest growing states in the U.S. California did not even make the list, because many long-time residents are selling their valuable real estate and leaving the state for more affordable places such as Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and...um...Texas. In addition, much of California's growth can also be attributed to immigration from Mexico.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/22/real_estate/fastest_growing_states/index.htm?postversion=2006122512

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