HamptonRoads.....were is the $$$$

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 19, 2008

Are you going to school to be an RN or an LPN?

If you are going to be an RN and have a 2-year obligation to Sentara, you won't have much choice as far as salary goes. I believe their new grad RN salaries are fairly standard. In fact, the new grad salaries are fairly standard throughout the region. While the details of the compensation packages vary a little from employer to employer, the basic overall compensation is usually in the same ballpark from one employer to the next.

Go where your hear is. Choose a job based on the type of work you want to do ... the type of patient you want to work with ... the type of environment in which you want to work, etc. The pay differences aren't enough to be a major factor.

Good luck!

Graduate2010, BSN · Mar 19, 2008

Are you going to school to be an RN or an LPN?
If you are going to be an RN and have a 2-year obligation to Sentara, you won't have much choice as far as salary goes. I believe their new grad RN salaries are fairly standard. In fact, the new grad salaries are fairly standard throughout the region. While the details of the compensation packages vary a little from employer to employer, the basic overall compensation is usually in the same ballpark from one employer to the next.
Go where your hear is. Choose a job based on the type of work you want to do ... the type of patient you want to work with ... the type of environment in which you want to work, etc. The pay differences aren't enough to be a major factor.
Good luck!

Thank you! I'm going for LPN. I know I can't really negotiate my salary until I have a few years experience but I wasn't sure if I should lean toward LTC, travel Nurse, OP surgery centers, Clinics....etc. I know I can't make $20hr fresh out of school but I was hoping not to take a "huge" pay cut because I'm currently between $17.00-$18.00/hr. I need to maintain that same salary to handle my financial obligations. Are you currently a employee of Sentara? Are you a LPN or RN?

Thanks for the feedback!:wink2:

:nurse:Stephanie(LPN2b)

sheluke · Mar 24, 2008

Is your heart set on being an LPN? If it is, that's great but if you are staying in the area, you are going to need to resign yourself to the fact you will take a pay cut, at least at first and plan accordingly. The area is not great for nursing salaries, period.

If your heart is in 'nursing' however, you may want to go ahead and push ahead the relatively small amount of time extra and do the associates RN program. In the long run, the time is not a lot more, but you will start out at least 'lateral' once a nurse. Not to mention, that if you are able to stay within Sentara, you may be able to keep some seniority, etc.

Best of Luck!

Graduate2010, BSN · Apr 2, 2008

Is your heart set on being an LPN? If it is, that's great but if you are staying in the area, you are going to need to resign yourself to the fact you will take a pay cut, at least at first and plan accordingly. The area is not great for nursing salaries, period.
If your heart is in 'nursing' however, you may want to go ahead and push ahead the relatively small amount of time extra and do the associates RN program. In the long run, the time is not a lot more, but you will start out at least 'lateral' once a nurse. Not to mention, that if you are able to stay within Sentara, you may be able to keep some seniority, etc.
Best of Luck![/quot
Sorry it took me so long to reply.:uhoh21: Yes, my heart:heartbeat is set on being a "nurse" LPN for now because it fits my family schedule as far as school and still working during the day. Eventually I would like to continue my education and take the LPN-BSN program @ Norfolk State after I graduate in 2010. Even then that will be at my leisure. I lived in Virginia all my life and I am getting a little mixed messages about the pay rate for nurses. I don't hear good things about LPN pay but if I have to take a pay cut then so be it. I just thought maybe certain places were LPN's work may have been a little higher in pay.
Thank you for you advice. Wish me luck I start school soon!
Stephanie
soon 2b:nurse:

laydiebuug · Apr 5, 2008

Good Luck with school, you also have to consider the cost of living down there.

al7139, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2008

Hi there,

I am an RN and I work for Sentara. I went to TCC and graduated last year in May 2007.

I dont' know for sure about LPN salaries, but I can tell you that on my unit (telemetry/med-surg), we have lots of LPN's working, lots of whom were hired when I was.

The rumor that Sentara is phasing out LPN's in hospitals is just that...a rumor. My experience is that we are always looking for LPN's and RN's to fill positions. Yes, sometimes the LPN's have to "task" if they are short CNA's for the shift, but I work with several LPN's with years of experience, that I go to for questions, etc.

You will ultimately make more to start as an RN, but I dont' think you will have a problem finding a job where you want to work.

Send me a private email if you want more info on where I work.

Amy

Graduate2010, BSN · Apr 13, 2008

Hi there,
I am an RN and I work for Sentara. I went to TCC and graduated last year in May 2007.
I dont' know for sure about LPN salaries, but I can tell you that on my unit (telemetry/med-surg), we have lots of LPN's working, lots of whom were hired when I was.
The rumor that Sentara is phasing out LPN's in hospitals is just that...a rumor. My experience is that we are always looking for LPN's and RN's to fill positions. Yes, sometimes the LPN's have to "task" if they are short CNA's for the shift, but I work with several LPN's with years of experience, that I go to for questions, etc.
You will ultimately make more to start as an RN, but I dont' think you will have a problem finding a job where you want to work.
Send me a private email if you want more info on where I work.
Amy

:nuke:Thanks Amy! I will PM you. Like I said...I'm starting out LPN first then RN. The hospital I work for stilll hires LPN's on certain floors and in other departments. I seriously doubt LPN's will phase out. :mad: Thanks again for the info. I will be talking with you soon.

:nurse:Stephanie

c-stal24RN · Apr 20, 2008

Like I said...I'm starting out LPN first then RN.

If you know that you ultimately want to be a RN, you should go for it. Have you looked into the different RN program options in HR? You may find one that fits your lifestyle. Also, don't expect to find a giant amount of money in Hampton Roads in nursing. This area is one of the lowest paying areas in the country with a higher cost of living. New RNs start out at about 41,000 (19.60/hour) a year at Sentara, and it doesn't matter if you are a BSN or diploma. You can get shift differentials if you opt for 2nd or 3rd shift. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. You will have more options and money if you can find a RN program to fit you. Just try looking for a RN program before you commit yourself to your LPN program.

Best wishes for your success,

C

delvenia · Apr 20, 2008

If you know that you ultimately want to be a RN, you should go for it. Have you looked into the different RN program options in HR? You may find one that fits your lifestyle. Also, don't expect to find a giant amount of money in Hampton Roads in nursing. This area is one of the lowest paying areas in the country with a higher cost of living. New RNs start out at about 41,000 (19.60/hour) a year at Sentara, and it doesn't matter if you are a BSN or diploma. You can get shift differentials if you opt for 2nd or 3rd shift. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. You will have more options and money if you can find a RN program to fit you. Just try looking for a RN program before you commit yourself to your LPN program.
Best wishes for your success,
C

what are the shift differentials at Sentara? Is it hard to get hired there? Do they give you the tuition reimbursement if you graduated from MCI (I heard they will only give it if you graduated from certain schools). Where you abel to get hired into a specialty unit? Sorry for so many questions, but i have been trying to contact Sentara directly and i have had a hard time getting these questions answered...

simplysusan · Jul 13, 2008

Amy,

I hope you're still on here! I currently work on a cardiac/telemetry floor in Florida. My husband may be accepting a job in the chesapeake area. What is your experience with Sentara? I may be looking for work in your area and initially at least, would look to work at on a cardiac/telemetry floor to ease the transition. Would you recommend your hospital? Suggestions?

Thanks!