Do LPN's get the pay they deserve?

Darlene K. · May 27, 2004

Pay differs depending on what area you work in, how long you have been licensed and your experience. In Tampa, new LPN's start ~ $13.00 / hour at the hospital.

Is the salary amount that you mentioned for a new LPN?

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 27, 2004

Considering the responsibility LPNs have been given, (and taken on) in the hospital setting I would say no LPNs aren't properly compensated. Salaries haven't kept up with the increase in duties and responsibilities.

It's similar here. LPNs on the floor do 90% of what the RNs on the floor do but make $5 to $7/hr less.

However, whining isn't going to get you more money. (Not that your whining, you have a legitimate complaint, I'm just using that word). Education is. :)

Pedsnrs2003 · May 27, 2004

I am continuing my education. I have been accepted into a BSN program and I start in the fall. The pay I stated previously is after three years of employment. I found that the annual 3% raise that we get is not the only raise that we may get. I have requested through my boss that my position on our floor be reviewed and possibly get a raise. I do total nursing care in our unit. LPN's in our facility are mostly used for aides and med passers.

sagelola · May 27, 2004

I don't want to start anything here...but do RN's get paid what they deserve? They have a Bachelor's degree or higher (well, some have an ADN)...LPN education is much shorter, is it not? And don't RN's have more responsibility than an LPN?

I think maybe you should look at working at another facility, for one, if you are wanting more money...and I think that your move to become an RN is a good one. Good luck to you!

itsme · May 27, 2004

Do lpn's get paid what they deserve? Well, I feel I do!! I make just under 20$ per hour, I work in a union facility where the pay is good and seniority counts too!!

Darlene K. · May 27, 2004

I am continuing my education. I have been accepted into a BSN program and I start in the fall. The pay I stated previously is after three years of employment. I found that the annual 3% raise that we get is not the only raise that we may get. I have requested through my boss that my position on our floor be reviewed and possibly get a raise. I do total nursing care in our unit. LPN's in our facility are mostly used for aides and med passers.

I think $11.50/hr is too low for an LPN after 3 years of work. I have been fortunate enough to find a place that does pay well for what I do. I currently earn $19.60 / hr plus bonuses. However, there are still places around who do pay much lower. Congrats on the BSN program.

mattsmom81 · May 27, 2004

The market dictates what we get paid unfortuantely...so we can whine and complain all we want about our wages but its just venting. Truth is, RN's will always make more than LPN's because they have more liability, and are more valuable to the employer. To keep out of trouble legally, health care institutions MUST have so many RN's and they know it, so they will pay RN's better in general.

That said, an experienced LVN in my facility tops out higher than a new grad RN starting wage and I agree with that. An experienced LVN can and should demand that wage....they are more valuable to the institution.

This was one of the reasons I went on to RN...I wanted the higher pay and knew I could do the job and handle the responsibility.

But...to say an LVN should make what I do...I will not go that far altho I love most of the LVN's I work with. Some don't want my responsibility/liability and say so...its all what ya want out of life and your career. :)

Hope this isn't another thread trolling for fights between LPNs and RN's...

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 27, 2004

lpns do not get what they deserve imo. i think that the salary should be closer to a rn salary, having been a lpn and now a rn. i make about $6-8/hr. more than lpns that work under me. however, we don't do the the same job. i use to get about $6-7/hr. less when i was a lpn in the hospital than the rns there made. i think the difference ought to be more like $3-5/hr. i.e., if i make $25/hr. as a rn (just an example!), then the lpns should make $21-22/hr. in a similar position. in my present job, i have more responsibility than the lpns, but they have more physical work - pushing a med cart and bending to do dressing, and general running around, etc.. in the hospital i recently worked for, i did do 90% of what the rns did...however, those things i did as a rn that i did not do as a lpn were *sometimes* very time consuming!! lol. again, i had more responsibility in the hospital as a rn too. plus, you have to add the extra time, money, and suffering struggling to get that extra education over whatever time it takes. it took me 3 part-time years...and i was already a lpn! so, what i am trying to say is that the lpn should get more than they do now but not the same as a rn. :)

Pedsnrs2003 · May 28, 2004

Oh people. Please understand that I am not bashing RN's in any way. I am a firm believer that ALL nurses are under paid. I grew up with nurses all around me. I was simply saying that I feel that I am under paid for the job I do as an LPN. I understand the responsibility of an RN. My responsibilities as an LPN on my floor almost mirror that of the RN. I guess I was just venting a little bit and I was wanting feedback from other nurses to see if I was justified in asking for a raise or if I was just truely being a big baby.:rotfl:

Pedsnrs2003 · May 28, 2004

Oh people. Please understand that I am not bashing RN's in any way. I am a firm believer that ALL nurses are under paid. I grew up with nurses all around me. I was simply saying that I feel that I am under paid for the job I do as an LPN. I understand the responsibility of an RN. My responsibilities as an LPN on my floor almost mirror that of the RN. I guess I was just venting a little bit and I was wanting feedback from other nurses to see if I was justified in asking for a raise or if I was just truely being a big baby.:rotfl:

By the way, I DO NOT feel that an LPN should make what an RN does.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 29, 2004

Oh people. Please understand that I am not bashing RN's in any way. I am a firm believer that ALL nurses are under paid. I grew up with nurses all around me. I was simply saying that I feel that I am under paid for the job I do as an LPN. I understand the responsibility of an RN. My responsibilities as an LPN on my floor almost mirror that of the RN. I guess I was just venting a little bit and I was wanting feedback from other nurses to see if I was justified in asking for a raise or if I was just truely being a big baby.:rotfl:

Well, I agree that you may think that your job almost mirrors the RNs on your unit, but in truth, it may not- since you have never actually done the RN's extra duties. I agree all nurses should make more.