Do private duty LVN/LPN ever get a pay raise?

[Live_Life]

I have heard that if you are a LVN/LPN and you work for an agency, you will never get a pay raise? Is this true? Several people told me this. Please advise.

[doodlebuttRN]

I am a PDN- RN, and have been with same company for over 2 years, with no raise. Excellent performance reviews, etc, but when I asked and was told that I was already receiving more than the avg RN for the case (my guess: when I started the case was insurance funded, now it's medicare/medicaid funded, so I think they now pay less per hour for all nurses, LVN or RN, cuz the state pays less per hour for nursing than private insurance.) Also, no holiday pay (EVER) and very occasional OT only (usually on emergency basis only). Don't get me wrong, I adore my patient and his family, and the job market around here isn't exactly booming, but I think that getting a raise may depend on the case you work and how it is funded. I don't know if that helps...

[smartnurse1982]

Well,as the above said,never.

Come to think of it,I actually got a rate DECREASE because of declining reimbursement from insurance companies.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I've gotten 3 raises in 2.5 years for one agency, my review is pending for my second agency but a raise is due. I get paid time & 1/2 for overtime and holidays worked. For both agencies I accrue PTO time with a minimum amount of weekly hours. Cases that insurance pays for LPN or RN often have little difference in reimbursement for each level of care ( there are very few RN only case only those that require infusion services or monitoring and NG feeds along with a few others) so an LPN garners higher reimbursement as generally LPNs are paid lower than RNs. I make the same whether I work a commercial insurance, waiver, or Medicaid case. If I do a last minute coverage I get anywhere from $3/hr to double time bonus for one agency and $1-$7/hr bonus for the other agency.

Some of my former classmates make a dollar or more an hour than I do but they work evenings or night shift LTC or subacute. I truly enjoy my work in pediatrics and am treated reasonably well by both agencies.

[Live_Life]

My coworkers told me that they never got a raise and they have been working at the agency for 7 or more years!

Please advise.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

My coworkers told me that they never got a raise and they have been working at the agency for 7 or more years! Please advise.

Depends on the agency. I work for a national and regional agency. Both are credentialed for Medicaid, waiver, and private insurance. One is Medicare credentialed as they accept renal children and also do adult/senior HH/PDN and skilled visits

[Live_Life]

Depends on the agency. I work for a national and regional agency. Both are credentialed for Medicaid, waiver, and private insurance. One is Medicare credentialed as they accept renal children and also do adult/senior HH/PDN and skilled visits

Would you look for another job or agency if there were no pay raises in the last seven years?

Please advise.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Would you look for another job or agency if there were no pay raises in the last seven years? Please advise.

That's a personal decision I work 2 agencies with good reason. It may not be any better at another agency but it doesn't hurt to explore your options. But the other nurses have stayed with the agency for seven years there has to be a reason.

[eeffoc_emmig]

My co-workers have had pay decreases because of a company lawsuit.

I asked for a raise after a glowing review...they dodged my calls. Never had the balls to say "no".

[Live_Life]

My co-workers have had pay decreases because of a company lawsuit.

I asked for a raise after a glowing review...they dodged my calls. Never had the balls to say "no".

That sounds familiar as my coworker experienced the same situation you did in being ignored after a good review.

How did you view the employer after they denied your raise? Will you stay at the company or move on?

[eeffoc_emmig]

Actively pursuing other jobs...just waiting for a good fit schedule wise.

[NottaSpringChik, BSN, RN]

All the RNs in my agency just got an across the board HUGE pay raise. Not sure about the I LPNs but I think they got one too.