Do LPN's get the pay they deserve?

Mike1991 · Mar 31, 2005

You have a big problem with LPN's if you think they should be confined to one area of nursing. How about if your mother or grandmother was in a nursing home ,would it be ok then for me to take care of her. AHHH YES, Decisions Decisons

I have never had any family member in a nursing home. Our parents have taken care of us for twenty years or so and there should be no reason why we can't take care of our parents. Do you think that your parents would put you in a home as a child if you were terminally ill?

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

The question here is not about whether to care for you parents at home or not . But ,the fact that if they were placed in some sort of Rehab or LTC ; the chances are great it would be a LVN taking care of them. So your question regarding my parents is of no consequence.

I have never had any family member in a nursing home. Our parents have taken care of us for twenty years or so and there should be no reason why we can't take care of our parents. Do you think that your parents would put you in a home as a child if you were terminally ill?

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

Ok Ok, now look. I know this commit is pointing in my direction. I NEVER said that I deserved equal pay to that of a RN. I was merely making a point to the poster who believed that LVN's make enough for the job we do, because we have limited education and scope of practice. As far as recognition, I bust my big hinney to take care of my patients, stable and unstable. Every nurse deserves recognition and if you feel like as a RN you deserve more than everyone else... Grab it and Run.

What I have found reading these posts that there are many LPN's trying to expect the same recognition as an RN. They say we do the same thing for less. Unfortunately, the educational level and responsiblity level is not equal. I was an LPN for 10 years before earning my RN degree...I was amazed at all the things I took for granted or did not know. The why's behind things became clearer. LPN's do not deserve equal pay to the RN. I highly suggest that if you are tired of the but I am a nurse too and I do the same job fight, then head back to the books. UGGGHHH this debate is stupid. The LPN/VN is just that, a nurse to care for common conditions in stable predictable clients. The RN is the professional nurse with the scope of practice to treat unstable and stable patients. You will learn this as well as appropriate delegation if you further your education. I realize this sounds harsh, but it is the truth. With that said I must affirm my belief that LPN's are valuable and no they should not be confined to just LTC--they can practice in their scope in several areas. All nurses are underrespected and underpaid. We are the nurse, social worker, housekeeper, mediator, dietary services...and the list could go on!!!
Karen

imenid37 · Mar 31, 2005

LPN's and RN's are both underpaid. I would never be an LPN. Why? Because in some settings they do many/most of the same things and are getting much less compensation. I was surprised how much less the LPN's make vs. what I do. LPN's are nurses and they do deserve respect and better pay. In my area, many factory workers make a lot more than LPN's w/ better benefits. Also in today's healthcare world where we are all expendable, LPN's have less flexibility if they want to change practice areas or leave a bad job situation. I also think their LPN experience should be considered in the starting salary if they become RN's, which around here, it is not. I would have no problem having most of the LPN's I know take care of me, they are very good nurses.

GN1974 · Mar 31, 2005

Ok Ok, now look. I know this commit is pointing in my direction. I NEVER said that I deserved equal pay to that of a RN. I was merely making a point to the poster who believed that LVN's make enough for the job we do, because we have limited education and scope of practice. As far as recognition, I bust my big hinney to take care of my patients, stable and unstable. Every nurse deserves recognition and if you feel like as a RN you deserve more than everyone else... Grab it and Run.

You are sensative if you think this was pointed your way...it was a generalization based on not just this thread but others from this site. I am quite sure that you, like many other LPN's, work very hard. I was just pointing out that it seems the LPN's are always hot to say but I am a nurse too and I do the same thing. That may all be true but the bottom line is the scope's of practice are different. The LPN is much more limited. I have great respect for LPN's--and like I said, they should not be confined to LTC. It would be a waste of good nurses to put them soley in LTC!!!! I am not out for you or any anyone else...I struggled to go back and get my RN. I did this during a time when my father passed away, I was working night shift, and caring for a teen and toddler. I realize now after going through the program how much I was missing. Like I said this topic of RN v LPN is rather silly. I believe the LPN role is just that-- of caring for stable, predictable patients with common illnesses. As an LPN I knew I was just that. I wanted to be a professional nurse with a broader scope--because of my determination I am but a test away.

Karen

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

I was just pointing out that it seems the LPN's are always hot to say but I am a nurse too and I do the same thing.

Perhaps it's relates to a few (notice i said FEW) RNs who are hot to say that LPNs aren't REAL nurses, LPN are my assistants, they don't belong here, and of course, the standard reply for these issues is 'well go back to school'. It gets old. And it goes both ways.

I'm aware they don't do the same thing, hence the reason for different job titles.

Just throwing a few thoughts out there.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

I agree!!

Perhaps it's relates to a few (notice i said FEW) RNs who are hot to say that LPNs aren't REAL nurses, LPN are my assistants, they don't belong here, and of course, the standard reply for these issues is 'well go back to school'. It gets old. And it goes both ways.
I'm aware they don't do the same thing, hence the reason for different job titles.
Just throwing a few thoughts out there.

GN1974 · Mar 31, 2005

I agree too! The N in LPN means NURSE....not assistant, ancillary, or support staff. I respect the role of the LPN. Without LPNs a big blow would be taken to the health care delivery system. My point remains that the two levels of NURSES is not equal thus pay should not be equal. If an LPN wishes to go back to earn an RN degree, then more power to that LPN. The medical field needs to realize the value of the LPN and utilize them in areas of non-critical care.

Karen

Fiona59 · Mar 31, 2005

If an LPN is required to perform 75% of the skills of an RN, the pay rate should be 75% of the RN's rate.

I've no desire to work on any ICU. If the desire is there, obtain the education. For those already there, leave them in place but don't hire more, its up to the administration to write and follow through on the policy for hiring.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Apr 1, 2005

not me.....i was referring to a post by alatta58.

okay, then consider the question asked to alatta58.

just call me a doubting thomas! was this $70,000 with ot? i have never seen a lpn make $36/hr....not even in home health. maybe you meant with a significant amount of ot.

__

live4today, RN · Apr 1, 2005

I am an LPN in SW Missouri. I make $11.50 an hour. I do 90% of the same job that the RN's do on my floor. Am I whining? Do LPN's really get what they deserve? Does LPN really stand for Low Paid Nurse?

No, I do not believe LPNs get paid what they are worth anymore than RNs get paid what they are worth. I don't care what part of the globe a nurse resides in, or works in.......hourly or salary wages should be set based on our experience in the field. We are not appreciated or respected as nurses who help save lives every single shift we work. We aren't saving inanimate objects. We're saving human lives that mean something to somebody.

I'm sooooooooo sick of hearing about the "cost of living" being one wage in one state, and another wage in another state so that's why the wages are low.........". BULLCRAPPY!!! :rolleyes:

We are paid lower than men on most jobs, and nursing is no different. There simply isn't enough males in nursing to effect the wages yet. Female occupations tend to net the lowest wages. No one will convince me it isn't a man's world. :uhoh3:

LPN1974, LPN · Apr 1, 2005

okay, then consider the question asked to alatta58.
just call me a doubting thomas! was this $70,000 with ot? i have never seen a lpn make $36/hr....not even in home health. maybe you meant with a significant amount of ot.
__

well, ask alatta58 if it was 70,000 with ot.

i don't know. i was only responding to her post.