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

caliotter3 · Jul 6, 2007

Way back in the past decade after I had been laid off during a downsizing and I was wandering around, really in touch with my car, I was dealing with the Employment Development Dept., attempting to get work. Back then they would mail me notices about job openings. I got some doozies. Less than 20 hrs a week located in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco for a whopping $7.50 an hour. Or less than 20 hrs a week for a whole, I believe it was, $12 an hr for an acute care position that I wasn't even qualified for, in a place I couldn't live in if I wanted to, due to medical conditions. I didn't really think they would find an LVN with qualifications like that to work for around $12 an hr for less than 20 hrs a week. I was wondering if I could park my car in the hospital parking lot, because it was obvious I couldn't rent a room on those whopping wages. I also noticed that when I checked the jobs listings on the EDD computer, that there were roughly 3 jobs listed for RNs for every 1 job listed for LVNs. You really have to know how to position yourself if you are going to remain an LPN/LVN and make a living.

vonsay · Jul 13, 2007

I live in Chicago Il. and a new LPN makes about $22 per hour. If you get with the right place you can make $20 an hour with license pending. Can you make a decent living as a LPN? I'd say yes, but then again, its all relative to your situation. Not only that, but it all depends on your money management skills.

If you dont have budgets and spend money with wild abandon, it doesnt matter how much you make you will still come up short. I know people who make 10 to 12 bucks an hour and live better than I was when I was making $25 an hour because I didnt manage my money well!

Now that I have the opportunity to make that again, I will manage it better and yes you can make it work for you.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 14, 2007

I live in Chicago Il. and a new LPN makes about $22 per hour. If you get with the right place you can make $20 an hour with license pending. Can you make a decent living as a LPN? I'd say yes, but then again, its all relative to your situation. Not only that, but it all depends on your money management skills.
If you dont have budgets and spend money with wild abandon, it doesnt matter how much you make you will still come up short. I know people who make 10 to 12 bucks an hour and live better than I was when I was making $25 an hour because I didnt manage my money well!
Now that I have the opportunity to make that again, I will manage it better and yes you can make it work for you.

I am finding that experience myself. I have been fortunate as an LPN mainly because I already own the home I live in. I have no mortgage. I do not spend extravagently and am really making a commitment to pay my bills as diligently as possible. If it were not for that, I may have been challenged as well.

BigB · Jul 15, 2007

to the top for LVN'S making a decent wage.

Hopeslayer · Jul 15, 2007

Well, it seems it totally depends on where you live. Here on Cape Cod, I work 40 to 50 hours a week, and make enough to own my own home.

There are always facilities hiring LPN's in the area as well.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 15, 2007

Well, it seems it totally depends on where you live. Here on Cape Cod, I work 40 to 50 hours a week, and make enough to own my own home.
There are always facilities hiring LPN's in the area as well.

I'm happy that you are able to make a satisfactory living as an LPN. It sorely disappoints me each time I read that there are some that are really having a hard time finding jobs or are limited. I do admit that the pay at my job is not that great, and I have to work a second one to make the salary that I expected to. But, I have a contract to work at this place for now, and I am gaining experience. I also have other irons in the fire that allow me to get work in plenty of other settings.