Help! LVN Wages?

[Kiki1970]

I hope this in the right forum...

Yesterday my dreams of entering into an ADN program went down the drain. My out of pocket portion is too high and a personal loan for that amount when you're out of work, isn't likely. It's discouraging to knock out nine prereqs for Western Governors BSN program, also- it would take so much time... (Que the violins).

If I went the LVN route, what would a new LVN make? It seems to be all over the place. I would love to hear what even the seasoned ones earn. I know it's a gauche question, so I apologize. I'm just in a major funk trying to figure this out now.

Thanks AN!

[Kiki1970]

Thanks Vbarger! All points are so true! A part of me wants to be an lvn to begin with for some of those very reasons!

[Hello_Pretty, RN]

Did you ever decide which route you were taking? I'm in Los Angeles and the pay for LVNs in SNF is about $20-$25 and it doesn't matter if you have 0 or 25 years experience. I also work per diem as a private duty and the pay is $30 (independent contractor rate). Some facilities may let you negotiate a higher wage for experience, and other may give a raise each year. I've only been an LVN for 2 years, just got my RN this month. Since I'm not BSN I'm going back to SNF and I'm asking for no less than $35. Since SNFs are very desperate for RNs I feel I can ask for more. I got my license after all the fall new grad RN programs started so I have to wait until spring to apply for those programs.

[Hello_Pretty, RN]

I'd like to add that I also do home health and the pay rate is $30/visit as LVN. It's a very easy job but you won't get enough patients to make a decent paycheck and you spend most of your time driving. It's good to have as a side job to make a few bucks especially if your patient is located close to home.