Do LVN's really make nothing (minimum wage)?

caliotter3 · Aug 13, 2009

There are jobs posted here and there that offer a CNA $18 an hour (usually private duty), and you will see a prospective employer offering LVNs $14 or $15 an hour. They are serious. Pay is dropping in lots of areas. The individual has to find a job first, then decide if they are willing to work for that amount. I am reminded what it is like to get nothing per hour every time I go a long time without work. However, I am quite aware that if I agree to work for low wages, then I can't complain when I am expected to work for low wages.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2009

I earned in excess of $62,000 last year as an LVN in Texas. I do not know of any LVNs who earn minimum wage. I do not know of any LVNs who would even bother to work for minimum wage.

kat7ap · Aug 13, 2009

Who told you that LVN's make minimum wage? Far from it... In fact $15/hr actually sounds pretty low to me. I've never worked for less than $18/hr. In my 3+ years of LVN/LPN experience I've always been able to secure steady employment. California is one of the harder hit areas by the bad economy. Not everywhere is doing so bad.

I checked out that employment ad and did not see any place where it listing the job as "minimum wage". I can almost guarantee you that the position is 3 x 12 hour shifts a week = 36 hours weekly. For $35,000 - $46,000/year that would be about $18.50 - $24.50/hr wage.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Aug 13, 2009

i make $23.50 per hour (plus night diff/weekends) and work 3 12 hour shifts per week. it averages to be around $43,000 per year. not too bad of a deal if you ask me.

ck29_2000 · Aug 13, 2009

Ok 35k a year sounds great right? WRONG!
$8 an hour x 12 hours a day X 7 days a week X 52 weeks a year = $34,994 a year.
If I search other cities I can't even find a job opening or lvn/lpn. It is extremely hard to land a job as a LPN/LVN. You'll make far more as a construction worker, plumber, lawn mower, etc...

Well, your math would be correct if you worked SEVEN days a week, but most nurses work THREE. Try solving for x (the amount per hour) with three days a week in your equation.

Fiona59 · Aug 13, 2009

Hell, I made around $44K last year working part time.

jnrsmommy · Aug 13, 2009

I started my nursing career in Louisiana where the pay there is not great at all. Facility I was at was starting brand new RNs at $16/hr, so you can imagine what LPN pay was (this was 6 years ago). I'm in Texas now, making almost 3 1/2 times as much as I did in Louisiana. So definitely not minimum wage here. And I work 8 hr shifts, 5 days a week.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Aug 13, 2009

I don't make a whole lot as a LVN, but I work M-F 8-5, and I have great benefits.

momtojosh · Aug 13, 2009

i make 16/hr and that is high for my area,and also have good state benefits....i only work PT,thats all i want for now....i would even work for 13/hr if it was PT with every weekend off....i am not in it for the money but cause i love what i do.....yup...i am new..only been at it for a year now...been a stay at home mom for 20yrs...just a lil something to keep me busy....

matchsticktgt, LPN · Aug 14, 2009

IF you worked 40 hour a week at "regular pay" you would use 2080 hours per year to calculate the hourly pay: 35,000 / 2080 = $16.83.....so I think that is a bit better than $8.00 ;

matchsticktgt, LPN · Aug 14, 2009

That is 40 hours a week * 52 weeks a year = 2080 hours.....but that is "civilian" hours:smokin: