Shortage of RNs not LPNS!...

[NYSNOWBUNNY007]

hi everyone...its been a while since i have been in this website..i appreciate ALL of the advice i have gotten from a lot of wonderful people...im a lil upset though...i just became an LPN in July and getting a jobhas been frustrating..it really is a hustle...and its sickening to see how many LPNs are out there...well not sickening but all the crappy jobs are left out to the LPNs and all th good jobs for the RN's...i dont want to say that i regret going to school for LPN because all in all i would get paid than the regular odd jobs..but even so they dont want to pay LPNs...we are only limited to Nursing homes and sometimes that is depressing...and frustrating..i know there is gotta be more to nursing than med pass at a LTCF...they should say there is a shortage in RNs not LPNs there are alot of us out here and it is really a hustle to get a "decent" job...if the job is doable than they want to offer anywhere from 14-17/hr..if it pays anywhere between 18-20 its a HELL WHOLE!..say goodbye to your license...*sigh*..i dont know ...dont mean to sound so negative but i would really like some encouragement,,,did anyone feel this way when they first became an LPN...i now look forward to go for my RN ASAP...this LPN business is really getting to me...XOXO

Sue

[rn/writer, RN]

While I agree that a degree/certificate doesn't make the individual a better candidate, it does show that the individual is willing to go further than other candidates.

Many are willing. Not all are able. At least not as quickly as they might like.

[slinkeecat]

I was an LPN for a long time... I became an RN w/ a BSN degree because I saw the writing on the wall. My health as far as having diabetes will not allow me to be a staff nurse forever, so i got the degree so I can pursue other facets of nursing.... teaching, whatever....

[MNlpn]

There are only about 50 of us LPNs here at the hospital I work at in Minnesota. I did several years of LTC before hospital nursing. The pay rate at the LTC places stunk. I've been at the hospital 9 yrs now and make $21.03 plus shift differential. We are unionized so that helps with our pay scale! We are getting ready to negotiate a new contract this month, so hopefully they will meet our demands and we'll continue to increase in salary. Every little bit helps hehehe.

[pissa]

Good luck!

[mickeypat]

I think the shortage of LPNs depends on where you are at. Here where I am... there are quite a few job openings... but it depends on what you are looking for. Dang! I sure wish I could make $19 an hour!!!! Would love that!

[Elisheva]

Things must have changed in the 10 years I've been gone from nursing. There were almost as many LPNs on our med-surg floors as RNs.

I am an ADN but plan to get my BSN. In the present environment, more education may be the only answer to broader job choices, I think.

[Elisheva]

The pay scale here for an RN in the hospital starts at 17.00. I made almost as much as a secretary. My daughter, who has no college but was an MP in the military and works in security, makes much more than that per hour.

Bummer, huh?

[ColetteFL]

Your first job - whether it's LTC or a hospital @ $12.50 - will not be the job that you have for the rest of your life. Relax, be flexible, and soak up all the experience you can, wherever you can. It will look good on your resume, you will gain experience no matter where you work, and you will find yourself an "LPN II" before yoou know it.

Keep smiling; it's all good. :wink2: :wink2:

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I think the shortage of LPNs depends on where you are at. Here where I am... there are quite a few job openings... but it depends on what you are looking for. Dang! I sure wish I could make $19 an hour!!!! Would love that!

There's quite a shortage of LVNs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. My friend and I are both LVNs with less than 1 year of experience. She earns $20 per hour and I earn $18.50 hourly at a nursing home.

[calmone]

I haven't read all replys so hope I'm not :deadhorse. I graduated and got my LPN almost a year ago to date. I got hired at my current job, LTC, right after I got my license. I LOVE it. I've volunteered at LTC places for years. I love the interaction with older people. I love their stories and the way they truly enjoy visiting with you. Anyway, having said that, I will be going back to school in January to get my RN. Why?! Because I will make more money. No way am I leaving my place of work, but once I get my RN I will make more $$$ per hour for pretty much the same job. I love my job, the residents, the facility and my co-workers, I just want more $$$$!!

[Jules A, MSN]

I think the shortage of LPNs depends on where you are at. Here where I am... there are quite a few job openings... but it depends on what you are looking for. Dang! I sure wish I could make $19 an hour!!!! Would love that!

I agree and it seems like the pay is really about area also. A friend of mine in a state 1 1/2 hour away started as an LPN at $12.50 and I was shocked. During my clinical rotations I was in several hospitals that hire LPNs even on L&D and rehab. I have another friend that was hired by her current employer from CNA to LPN at $26 per hour so go figure.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I agree and it seems like the pay is really about area also. A friend of mine in a state 1 1/2 hour away started as an LPN at $12.50 and I was shocked. During my clinical rotations I was in several hospitals that hire LPNs even on L&D and rehab. I have another friend that was hired by her current employer from CNA to LPN at $26 per hour so go figure.

Here are the general rules of thumb for LPN/LVN pay.....and please feel free to correct me if I have stated something that's erroneous. Rural areas tend to pay poorly. Also, many of the Southern states pay very terribly, most likely due to the lower cost-of-living. Large metropolitan areas tend to offer the most decent LPN/LVN pay.