Do hospitals consider experience as an LVN when hiring for RN positions?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

That's going to depend entirely on the hospital. In my experience, I've been allowed 1 year of RN credit for every 2 years of LPN experience; while up in the metro area, they couldn't care less about my LPN experience, (which was primarily in acute care), when it came to salary. Once I received my BSN, even though hospitals required it, there was not one difference in pay from that of the ASN, if at the bedside.

When I left the beside and went into the regulatory arena, the BSN was required for the position I applied for, but it came with a HUGE PAYCUT!

What it comes down to is that facilities require certain credentials because they can. They will pay for said credentials if they WANT to. We can pass them by if WE CHOOSE to do so. In the end, the majority has spoken...meaning that if more nurses hold out for an increase in pay than those who accept what is offered, we MIGHT get another dime or two. Again, facility-specific.

That's been my experience here in Georgia. So, I do regulatory during the week (benefits and NO patients), and a med-surg shift (Float Pool: $51/hr) or two on the weekends.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 2, 2016

Yes - my organization also recognizes LVN experience as a factor to determine starting salary... using the same conversion factor as PP's employer.

I encourage you to take advantage of RN new grad (transition to practice) programs. Although you have LVN experience, you actually ARE a brand new RN. If you simply focus on tasks, it may not seem that much different - but tasks are only the most visible part of RN practice. It's also a very different scope of practice & accountability. In many organizations, there's no difference in salary for new hires who are in a residency program as opposed to new grads who are placed directly into a unit. In your case, you'll probably start a bit higher if you do get credit for your LVN experience.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

I think that you might want to reconsider your belief that you can "hit the ground running" as a new RN. I understand why you feel that way, but I think it might be a mistake to believe that you have nothing left to learn about your new role.

HeySis, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

Our hospitals do not take your years as an LPN into account when figuring our pay rate. All RN's with less then one years experience have to do the new grad program, but the pay is the same as if you had one years experience with them and were just starting... To earn more starting, you'd have to have lot of experience or certifications for that specific unit.

They did take into account years of nursing experience as far as where in the hospital you can work. While most new to nursing would not qualify for a critical care area, those with experience could. Not because we can "hit the ground running as an RN" but because we have some understanding of managing patient loads, basic skills are faster, and more experience with certain aspects of nursing. We still have a lot to learn though... which is why I am grateful for residency programs and extended orientations.

Anonymous666 · Jun 2, 2016

I think that you might want to reconsider your belief that you can "hit the ground running" as a new RN. I understand why you feel that way, but I think it might be a mistake to believe that you have nothing left to learn about your new role.

It's been a while since I posted here. I forgot how easily common idioms can be misinterpreted and rub someone the wrong way.

But to avoid a detailed PowerPoint presentation explaining exactly what I meant by that sentence and possibly an LVN versus RN debate, I'll quickly mention what I did not say. I did not say that I have nothing left to learn about my role as a nurse. I think the day a nurse believes that, is the day that nurse becomes a bad nurse.

I stand strongly with confidence behind my statement, "I can pretty much hit the ground running in most med surg areas in an RN role." If you would like to challenge me further on that claim, I would be more than willing to defend it.

Anonymous666 · Jun 2, 2016

Yes - my organization also recognizes LVN experience as a factor to determine starting salary... using the same conversion factor as PP's employer.
I encourage you to take advantage of RN new grad (transition to practice) programs. Although you have LVN experience, you actually ARE a brand new RN. If you simply focus on tasks, it may not seem that much different - but tasks are only the most visible part of RN practice. It's also a very different scope of practice & accountability. In many organizations, there's no difference in salary for new hires who are in a residency program as opposed to new grads who are placed directly into a unit. In your case, you'll probably start a bit higher if you do get credit for your LVN experience.

I did consider a residency program at first, as I would like to work in the ICU in one of the big hospitals in the Med Center. If moving into an area such as that, I would appreciate as much hand-holding and back-up support during an orientation/residency program as they're offering. I have zero real ICU experience and would not feel safe doing the usual 4-6 weeks of working with a preceptor then being tossed into the responsibility of admitting a crashing pt.

What put me off was the being told I'd be earning the same as I did as an LVN. So, I'm considering other options as well as that one.

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 2, 2016

Sometimes, you have to take a step sideways -- or even backwards -- to move forward in the long run. I've stepped sideways a few times in my career because I saw long-term advantages in doing so. In all four cases, I was glad I did because those short-term "set-backs" got me things that paid off later.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

I think that you might want to reconsider your belief that you can "hit the ground running" as a new RN. I understand why you feel that way, but I think it might be a mistake to believe that you have nothing left to learn about your new role.

Agree.

I had 7 years experience as a LPN with complex kids, trachs, vents, etc., writing polices, precepting new LPNs and RNs and STILL had a huge learning curve as a new grad and new RN; it want until I gained employment in a specialty the fit me (PediED) and I STILL felt like a new grad, but was able to put it all together, and even most days I'm still NEW at this specialty.

I took a severe pay cut and then ended up making more in the long run after my first year.

Soak up all the knowledge of being an RN...you will be able to bridge what you know and learn MORE and go much farther, and the rest of what you want will come.

CrazyGoonRN · Jun 2, 2016

My LPN experience was factored in and I received a higher starting hourly wage but I was still treated like every other new grad. However, my LPN background was in LTC. If I had acute care experience I don't know if it would have been different.

AdobeRN · Jun 2, 2016

My LVN experience was taken into account with my first position as an RN - just salary wise though. I started out at a higher pay rate than my friends even though I was a "new grad RN" going thru a preceptor type of program.

When I started working as a school nurse - nursing experience did not matter as far as pay. I am paid according to teachers scale - I had almost 5 years nursing experience but started out just like a 1st year teacher.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

If I were hiring, and my candidates were all new RNs, I'd definitely consider your LPN experience. All other things being equal, how could it NOT be viewed as an asset?