How/where to make best lpn money?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 24, 2015

As a new grad...any where willing to hire a new grad in this current economy. The highest income LPNs I know are specialty experienced (whether corrections, LTC, wound care, high tech pediatric (private duty trach-vent pediatric nurses) working more than one job.

SheenaBeckom · Jan 31, 2015

I have been an LPN since 1997 and I have worked in several different areas of nursing. I started my career in a hospital on the Medical floor, then to a School Nurse, Long Term Care, Wound Care Coordinate, Primary Care Nurse for a Surgeon back to Long Term Care. Acute care payed the least but that is where you gain the skills to carry you throughout your whole career. School nursing hourly pay was decent but you only work so many days a year so they divide your salary between 12 months and that makes for a smaller monthly income. The benefits are a major plus including teacher retirement. Really not the place to use your skills. I made a decent salary working for a physician but the hours can be long and so much to do in a day. The plus side is no holidays and the things your doctor does to show his appreciation for your dedication and hard work. Long Term Care pays the best by far. There is a reason you will make that money though. It is the hardest aspect of nursing I have ever done. High nurse to patient ratios, very little support staff and all accountability on you. The same was true for wound care, accountability extremely high. I am drawn to the Long term care setting not for the money but the relationships you form with your residents. You actually become more like a big dysfunctional family. You still use your skills but you better bring them with you because most don't offer any continuing education. There are some that do but you have to request it and they are usually not offered often. I just don't think money should be the driving force in your career because most with that mindset of making money were probably not called to the field. Nurses that have received the call to nursing usually work two jobs especially LPN's.

Nibbles1 · Jan 31, 2015

Private duty pays the most in my area. Dallas, TX. I worked at a LTC and made 15.00 per hour in 2012. I make27.00 per hour now.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 31, 2015

Nurses that have received the call to nursing usually work two jobs especially LPN's.

^ Absolute story of my LPN and my nursing life.

OP, most of the "money" comes from working two jobs, especially per diem jobs; are you willing to work 60-80 hours a week to "make money" and be where "the money is?"

I used to work 60 hours a week, doing home health private duty 2-3 days a week 10p-6a, the work 7a-7:30p at a rehab hospital as a float nurse, and would pick up a 16 hour shift on the weekends making top pay if my client went to the hospital, then I changed to work one 16 a week on a weekend , then work the other shifts during the week. I still had at least three days off during the week. I worked hard and was able to buy a house and travel with the fruit if my labors; but I will tell you, not every body is built to do that long term without having residual effects, even if you are young; I'm in my 30s now, and I can't imagine doing that schedule now-and I was in my mid-20s doing this. :no:

Although I am an RN now, I still have a PRN job on the side, but I make enough to enjoy my work-life balance and get some extra cash on the side and pick up extra hours if needed; I'm more interested in keeping myself healthy and not overtaxing my body now. :yes: