Please tell me I'm not crazy...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello,

I had posted a few weeks ago about not being able to find a job being a new LPN. Everyone wanted 1 yrs experience. I was getting desperate and spent 8 hr days going around applying everywhere I could think of. I had a few home health agencys very interested in me, but without money I was not going to be able to pay for my backround check, fingerprints, physical.... Was starting to get really nervous, this is my second career and I have never had a problem getting a job.

Well.... I finally got a call from the hospital I have always said I wanted to work for. It is one of the few that hire LPN's in the area. I am starting school in Nov to get my RN - BSN - prereqs 1st, and the job offer shifted from nights to days(although the pay is less, it fits into my life a bit better). I went and interviewed and was offered the job on the spot. I was so excited! I never really discussed money at all. Then I get a phone call to set up orientation - Monday, and she says "you do know the positon pays $13.68?" I look at it as if I really want to work in the hospital long term and will get a great education here. I have not had a job thru school and have lived basically on nothing for so long that something is better than nothing. It has moved so fast... getting the offer, accepting, doing the paperwork, starting monday. This is the way it is supposed to be - graduate one week, start work the following? I start school in November again and can defer my student loans hopefully till I am a RN ( who knows how high they will be, but if I die owing...) I have a young son and have been so blessed to have the support of many people around me. I have a few people I have to repay a few thousand dollars to. This is where my fear comes along. Did I do the right thing? I have talked with some friends at school and they have job offers at $20 - $23.00/hr. I am not doing this for the money and many people have told me that it has happened the way it is supposed to and the money will come eventually. After my 8 wks of orientation, I can work overtime, so I am hoping I can at least boost my salary that way. They say no raises until 1 yr, I am afraid of how little it will be.

Please tell me I am doing the right thing. I was ok with it until I filled out all the paperwork and was leaving and got a huge pit in my stomach.

Thanks so much in advance

Oh yea - I am REALLY grateful to have gotten a job, please do not take this the wrong way!:uhoh3:

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It does sound low - BUT it is real, and you have a JOB! Benefits, too, I hope. You have the right attitude about why you want to work at this hospital. Get your experience, keep your eyes open for other opportunities, and the next job will pay probably allow you to advance professionally and $$$.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.

They're offering you $13.68 when other hospital LPNs in the area are making $20-23/hr??

I'd tell them where to stuff it.

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I'm not sure where you live but $13 doesn't sound terribly off for an LPN. New grad RN's where I work only get $20/hr or so. Definately keep at though, getting your foot in the door is half the battle these days.

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No, actually it is LTC/nursing homes where they have received the higher offers. I just think I will get much better experience in the hospital, if I want to change it will be easier to go somewhere else rather than getting a job in LTC and trying to change later on. Am just trying to do the right thing. I have ALWAYS gotten everything I need, and I know to be careful what you wish for. I just hope that wishing for this job was the right thing.

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.

So LTC nurses make more than hospital nurses?

That is just so many ways backwards.

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Its the same here too. LTC pays a lot better for LPNs than the hospital. I left my LTC job making 18.75 after 5 years when I got my RN. One of the LPNs I work with at the hospital makes around $14. One left the floor shortly after I got there to work in LTC for a $4/hr raise.

If you can pay your bills and you want to work in the hospital, then go for it.

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So LTC nurses make more than hospital nurses?

That is just so many ways backwards.

Why is that? I've worked both and LTC is no piece of cake. ;)

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
Why is that? I've worked both and LTC is no piece of cake. ;)

Acuity in hospital is way higher and requires a much different skill set. LTC isn't much more than giving meds, doing tons of paperwork and supervising unregulated staff.

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So LTC nurses make more than hospital nurses?

That is just so many ways backwards.

Maybe I can share a little tidbit, even though I'm still in school :)

In my area (Kentucky), LTC is the main employer of LPNs, as well as doctor's offices. Now, of course LTCs do employ RNs, but they usually end up being charge nurses, and are in less number than LPNs. If you have more LPNs then RNs, and they're doing the jobs, why not pay them?

But, as far as LTC vs Hospital and the amount paid to LPNs, again, it's a numbers thing. This time, dealing with the amount of procedures and skills that RNs can do vs the amount LPNs can do. It just makes more sense to employ more RNs, and pay more, at a hospital.

Anyway, just a thought!

:stdnrsrck:

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No piece of cake... either way, but no job surely sucks a whole lot more. So whilst the pay errs on the lower side, in my experience hospital compensation quickly improves after a few months of service, especially if there is a union involved. I am an RN, but five years later I earn twice as much as my hiring pay. I am certain LTC cannot compare.

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Specializes in Home Care.

If that were the only position I was offered I'd accept it until I found something that pays at least another $5 an hour. Its not easy living on less than $14 an hour.

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