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I have been working as an LVN at a Doctor's office for a year and can count on ONE HAND how many times I have gotten a 10-15 minute break. Mind you, this is an outpatient facility and the staff consist of Medical Assistants and other LVns. Our manager is NOT a nurse and has NO DEGREE in healthcare. She does have 20 years of experience as an EMT. I already think this is RIDICULOUS as the training here is basically feeding new grads to the sharks. I have recently passed the nclex RN but am still getting the wage of an LVN. I asked my "manager" when I would be compensated and she said when the "higher up's" approve of it. It has already been a month. I'm tired of this ********. I feel that because the economy is bad I am getting paid less because jobs are harder to find and it makes me SICK. What should I do???

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Am I missing something here??? I don't see anything written by the OP about lawyers. That being said, I have to agree that unless you have it in writing that you would be promoted once you passed the NCLEX and became an RN, then to the company you are and will continue to be a LVN.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.
Am I missing something here??? I don't see anything written by the OP about lawyers. That being said, I have to agree that unless you have it in writing that you would be promoted once you passed the NCLEX and became an RN, then to the company you are and will continue to be a LVN.

I'm guessing it (the legal part) got edited out. I was confused, too.

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Running-- are you getting a half hour off for lunch? if not are they paying you for no lunch break? some states have laws about breaks- or not getting a break, check your State labor laws also. ( just an idea)

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

In my state, legally you do not have to be given a 15 minute break, though most employers will try to do this.

Hmf, I have been working in clinic setting for 8 years and I couldnt tell you the last time I had an actual "break" other than lunch time.

As far as being paid more, I doubt thats going to happen. You are doing the job of an LVN/LPN, not an RN. You stated MA's also work there, so why in the world would they pay an RN to do that job? If you want to work as an RN and get RN pay, then I would suggest you start looking for another job.

Just my opinion though....

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I think you've received a ton of great advice on here.

I can understand why your frustrated, the economy sucks. It's annoying. But you can't blame your employer. You don't know what their budget is. Employers aren't hiring RN's because it's not in their budget.

If you're working as an LPN/LVN, you can't expect to get paid as an RN. Just because you decided to further your education does not make you entitled to a higher pay. It was your choice to get your RN. Your employer did not force you to do this.

See, here's the difference. My NP currently is only allowed to see adults. Her employer is requiring her to go back to school to get certified in peds. She has a contract with them. They are paying for her education and she will receive a raise once the accomplishment is made.

You need to work as an RN to get paid as an RN. Therefore you need to look for a job as an RN.

And hey, if you can't find a job as an RN, AT LEAST YOU HAVE A JOB! I've been unemployed for over 2 years, no marketable skills, no degree, just another person with customer service/office experience. But I've got a roof over my head and food in my pantry and that is more than many have.

Good luck to you.

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If you sue them you are going to lose more and more money and money seems to be the problem.

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Specializes in M/S, ICU, ICP.
i have been working as an lvn at a doctor's office for a year and can count on one hand how many times i have gotten a 10-15 minute break. mind you, this is an outpatient facility and the staff consist of medical assistants and other lvns. our manager is not a nurse and has no degree in healthcare. she does have 20 years of experience as an emt. i already think this is ridiculous as the training here is basically feeding new grads to the sharks. i have recently passed the nclex rn but am still getting the wage of an lvn. i asked my "manager" when i would be compensated and she said when the "higher up's" approve of it. it has already been a month. i'm tired of this ********. i feel that because the economy is bad i am getting paid less because jobs are harder to find and it makes me sick. what should i do???

i must be having a really senior moment. i have read the entry and the first page of responses discussing lawyers and legal advice on this op question/comment four times now. i do not find any mention of wanting to sue, seeking a lawyer, or even wanting "legal" advice. i do see someone frustrated and feeling taken for granted.

originally it seems the poster was hired as an lvn to function in an lvn role and at that salary. now you are working in the same office under the same position as before but under an rn license. the job is not different, however you have progressed. the rn license is an entirely different job and job description. the responsibilities of an rn are not the same, nor is the scope of practice and i would certainly hope the salary would not be the same.

unless there was a prior agreement in writing, the employer is not in the wrong. for example, i could be working as a ditch digger and on my own decide to work and get a nursing license. unless i contracted an agreement to get a nursing degree and then change to that position it is like comparing apples and oranges. it is a different license and a different job. unless your employer needs an rn, and you can apply for that rn position, everything else is an assumption and there is a need to seek out a job as an rn.

from an employer perspective, what would you do if you had a cna and they managed to go to school and come in one day with a nurse practice license? what if you do not need a np? or have funds to enlist the services of a np? you hired a cna and your needs and the job description did not change.

i understand the frustration; however, i would suggest you apply for a job as an rn either at your present work place or surrounding areas. in the meantime i would personally be careful to remain within the present job description.:twocents:

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The legal part was probably deleted by the moderator to prevent further legal advice.

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Specializes in medical.

Who needs RNs in the doctors' offices these days? MAs and LVNs can do a lot. The only registered nurses that I know, who work in doctor's office, are the ones administering chemotherapy. I guess, you need to find another job. I myself haven't seen any increase in my pay for over 2 years now ( I work per diem in a hospital as RN).

It looks like from previous comments that you plan to sue or something. I find it pretty ridiculous. Everybody tries to sue everybody for anything these days. It would be better if people would start being more responsible for themselves, maybe then the society would not be so messed up like it is these days.

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I'm sorry to say that you're not being exploited. You're being paid for the job for which you were hired. If you would like to be paid RN wages, you will need to seek out an RN position.

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From the original post--where the manager said they're waiting on the "higher-ups" to approve things, it sounds like the employer has promised something and not followed through on it. While everyone has given great advice about looking for a position as an RN at another facility, if your employer promised you a raise and is taking their sweet time to implement it, it's important to stay on them. Even in a bad economy, there are ways to be persistent tactfully-- without risking losing your job.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, LTC.

i have been an lvn in ca for 12 yrs. the work climate has really changed. i liken it to the plantation system...

i am forever grateful to have a lic and be able to make money, on other hand i only see choice of jobs becoming

scare, demands increasing.

going into an economic depression i do not think it will get much better soon.

everyplace i work- i am a agency nurse- can not keep staff because demands are greater, hours longer-

this is why i am busy.

so in terms of leaving your present position, i would difinately line up another job first

and be sure the grass is greener where you are traveling to. you can check "no" on application where it asks can we contact

employer....there is time for that later as you go along the hiring process.

leave the ball in your court and best to you~

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