Is It Possible An LPN Can Make More Then An RN?

Published

I'm an RN. I work for a well known national home care agency. Somehow payroll mixed up our paychecks; I got her (she is an LPN ) hourly rate of pay on my paycheck and she got mine.

I found out she was making $23.00 an hour but I am making $21.00, and we both work on the same cases, so the acuity level of the clients is the same. She has been with this particular office for 2 years. I been with this office for 5 months. How do i approach the clinical manager about how unfair that is? (We also have the same level of experience)

If that is your rate you must be a new nurse with no work experience. That LPN probably has a longer work history. It may also be a per diem rate for her. You would be out of line asking about her salary, it is called confidentiality.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you work at a hospital or nursing home?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Re: Is It Possible An LPN Can Make More Then An RN?

I know first hand that there are LPN's making more than RN's. It boils down to experience. I have more years and service at my facility than a newer RN. I make $7,000.00 plus differential more than she does. I earn it.

Unless you work in LTC or for an agency, an LPN should not be making more than a RN at a medical hospital. There is no amount of experience that will equal the job level. If that were true, there would be no point in continuing education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgery.

Should an LPN make more than a new grad RN? This RN is in charge of the LPN who is caring for the patient and is ultimately responsibile for the patient care, correct? Yet the LPN should make more? I wouldn't think so.

Otherwise said these companies should watch out because you get what you pay for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Should an LPN make more than a new grad RN? This RN is in charge of the LPN who is caring for the patient and is ultimately responsibile for the patient care, correct? Yet the LPN should make more? I wouldn't think so.

Otherwise said these companies should watch out because you get what you pay for.

In home care both nurses are not in the house at the same time, so this RN is not in charge of the LPN. Yet, the typical policy for home health agencies is to pay RNs more, even if they are working on the same cases as LPNs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

As it turns out everyone, the OP told us that the agency she is working for has home care cases that require an RN due to their level of acuity. At first I thought she was doing the exact same job as the LPN and expecting to be paid more but apparently that isn't the case. I can certainly understand her questioning this-- she was sent the wrong check because the agency made a mistake- she wasn't snooping- anyway sometimes reading through a thread all the way answers a lot of the questions being asked by people here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgery.
In home care both nurses are not in the house at the same time, so this RN is not in charge of the LPN. Yet, the typical policy for home health agencies is to pay RNs more, even if they are working on the same cases as LPNs.

The RN is in charge of the LPN providing care to the client even if they are not in house at the same time. The RN is ultimately responsible for the patient's care and well being and is held accountable if the orders and standard of care aren't being carried out. If the LPN make's a mistake, the LPN is liable on their part for their error, but the RN is in charge of taking appropiate action and making sure that the correct procedures are carried out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You don't understand. This nurse is not the nursing supervisor. She is not in charge of that LPN. The RN who is in charge of the LPN is the nursing supervisor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgery.
You don't understand. This nurse is not the nursing supervisor. She is not in charge of that LPN. The RN who is in charge of the LPN is the nursing supervisor.

Let me see if I understand this correctly. If an RN is assigned responsibility to a patient and an LPN is assigned to the same patient, the nursing supervisor is in charge of that LPN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
The RN is in charge of the LPN providing care to the client even if they are not in house at the same time. The RN is ultimately responsible for the patient's care and well being and is held accountable if the orders and standard of care aren't being carried out. If the LPN make's a mistake, the LPN is liable on their part for their error, but the RN is in charge of taking appropiate action and making sure that the correct procedures are carried out.

Only if the RN is hired as a Case Manager or supervisor. I've worked side by side with RNs many times that are not my supervisor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Let me see if I understand this correctly. If an RN is assigned responsibility to a patient and an LPN is assigned to the same patient, the nursing supervisor is in charge of that LPN?

Yes. All nurses working on a home care (extended care) case are responsible for their own care done on their shift. Sometimes a nurse is designated as the "primary" nurse for the case, but they do not have supervisory responsibility over the other nurses. The nursing supervisor has supervisory responsibility over all nurses or home health aides working with a particular client.

Some nurses say that this autonomy is one of the reasons they like home care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

the other side of the coin is that the money we are paid by our employers is first their money to spend how they set. if they decide to pay one person higher then another that is their choice and theirs to justify to mainly themselves.

supervisors have to look at many factors that include a person's level of nursing and education as well as experience

there are also the soft skills/traits- how well does the person blend in/work with other staff and the pts. also the negotiating skills of the person as well. if as a manger a employee came in with the same tone as what i have seen on the posts i doubt the person would get the raise but rather think the person should be going. i doubt this is a issue of the different states. may be a difference in the people who set wages.

when i want a pay raise- i look at what objective items i have added value to the company since i have been there. once a wage has been offered and accepted, a raise is not given just because of ability of being there or b/c of someone’s lower rank.

i would say not to focus on the other person’s wages as the reason why you should get a raise but give the person some solid reason what you have done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion