Why RN vs LPN (Pay)?

Brownms46 · Jun 13, 2002

You know I have seen so many different rates of pay...and I now realize that it has nothing to do with the state you are in. I have seen some of the lowest paid nurses in some of the highest paying states! I think it is what an employer can get away with paying, and the fact that most nurses are women, (although that is rapidly changing), and most women have families and don't or can't travel/relocate for better pay! Hopefully that is changing also.. :cool:

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 13, 2002

Good points, Brownie. Some things that need changing if we are to ever recruit and retain nurses in the current and future times.

Brownms46 · Jun 13, 2002

You're absolutely correct. Because if the hospital 100 miles down the road is going to pay twice wihat the hospital down the street pays...then why would a nurse who is busting her behind stay??

The suits are soo short sighted...but ...what else is new..:chuckle

forget it! · Jul 19, 2002

I have been a LPN for seven years. I agree that there are a lot more opportunities as a RN. I have had to work in nursing homes up until this month because hospitals in my area doesn't hire LPNs. I have made great money. I started working in June of 95 starting out at $9.75 an hour in a nursing home and the last nursing home I worked in, April of this year, I was making $21 a hour. I had to get out of that enviroment, the workload is tremendous, being responsible for 50 patients at a time, on night shift. Dressings, charting, vital signs, skin assessments it has gotten overwhelming in this area. Not many nurses want to work in nursing homes because of the workload and the RNs managing these places. The money is great but you don't have the opportunity to move up and like I said the hospitals don't hire LPNs, the ones that do hire very few. I have just started a new job this month, not in a nursing home, but for company that does private duty only. I finally feel like there is some hope. I thought I was never going to be able to work in any other area of nursing due to the limitaions of being an LPN versus an RN. I am making $22 an hour and taking care of one patient at her home. I still can't beleive it. I thank the lord for this blessing. I plan on getting my RN so I will have more opportunities in the future. It really is the way to go if you want opportunities. If only I had realized that to begin with.

Squeeta2 · Jul 19, 2002

I'm an LPN currently earning 15.61 in eastern NY. Our hospitals hire LPNs and are grateful for us, Downsize LPNs? Thats crazy talk, there is a nursing shortage & the "n" in LPN does stand for Nurse.

I decided to go back for my RN to get the respect I deserve, which I shouldn't have to do. Also even if it is only $2, I do the same work with the exception of hanging blood & first dose of IV antibiotics. Why shouldn't I get it?

Our facility recently gave pay increases as follows: $1.00/hr for CNAs, .75/hr LPNs & .50/hr for RNs. Alot of people griped but I'm all for the way it was allocated. The people who are out on the floors busting butt shouldv'e gotten the most $$.

Love-A-Nurse · Jul 19, 2002

everyone has made great points. i feel you should be either an lpn or rn depending on what your goals are in life. money is great but it is not the focus point for why i am moving from an lpn to an rn, it is opportunity. i would suggest that you look into either with your long term goals in mind. much success to you!

religiousone · Jul 19, 2002

I can truly understand your frustration on the $2 difference in pay, but look at the whole picture. Becoming an RN opens so many doors of opportunity that would remain closed if you were to just settle for being an LPN. I too was having the same thoughts of furthering my education, once I did make the decision to go further into school I originally regreted it, but the schooling can be worth while just find someone you can hook up with and become motivators for each other and time will fly by and before you know it you will be looking to graduate. Currently I am finishing my last year for my associates degree but after going all this way I know that I do not wish to stop there but want to continue furthering my education:cool:

Q. · Jul 20, 2002

I feel that there is a lot more to an RN than simply hanging blood or antibiotics.

I also feel I work my butt off and would probably gripe about a 50 cent wage increase too, especially if it's only given to me based on being an RN and not on my work performance.

Until 2 years ago, we had NO NAs on the floor. All the RNs "worked the floors." The argument of RNs not working on the floors or just doing paperwork is such a myth! I think it all depends on WHERE you work. Where I have worked, all the RNs did total patient care and thensome. We didn't have support nursing staff.

Q. · Jul 20, 2002

Originally posted by Squeeta2
I decided to go back for my RN to get the respect I deserve, which I shouldn't have to do.

Don't be fooled. Having your RN doesn't guarantee "respect" either. Trust me.

BBnurse34 · Jul 20, 2002

WOW! untill I got my RN last year I was making 11$ an hour. It was a huge difference when I started getting 20$

I am not sure that I would have gone back to school if it was only a difference of 2$

To me a nurse is a nurse..LPN or RN

Grace Oz · Jul 20, 2002

Regardless...there can only ever be so many chiefs. EVERY "tribe" has to have it's indians.

Not everyone is wanting to reach management level in nursing. For many & varied reasons, some people choose to become Enrolled Nurses ( LPN's)as opposed to R.N's. What matters is that as nurses, we all respect each others role within the profession & work together for the greater good.

Cheers from "Down Under".

Grace.

biscuit_007 · Jul 20, 2002

Instant credibility. For some reason the day after i became an Rn everyone assumed I was such the better nurse. It doesn't make any sense but that is the way it is.