Is there a market out there for LPN's?

LittleWing21, RN · May 10, 2009

The LPN situation varies greatly from state to state. It seems that states that can be pickier (aka Mass!) don't have a huge market outside of LTC. That's not to say jobs don't exist outside nursing homes because I know they do. In North Carolina, I work with LPNs on my floor. Most of them have been nurses awhile though, so I'm not sure if that's a factor or not.

If you would like to do LTC for those 2 yrs, I'd say go for it. Its a cost effective way to transition into nursing. I believe the pay is like $4-6 less than an RN (maybe about 18-20/hr??) but I'm not positive. This may not be particular helpful, but I know there are more knowledgeable nurses out there who will post!! Good luck!

winsomehill · May 19, 2009

I hear lots of stories about places deciding they are going to an all RN staff, and I just don't believe it. Hospitals, nursing homes, and health care in general are always going to be working on a budget. If they can pay people less to do the same work....my thinking is they will. Sometimes there may be a tide to ride but...it will pass.

I'm an LPN in a prison, new grad, and I get $24/hr.

ann22 · May 19, 2009

winsomehill do you live in MA?

winsomehill · May 19, 2009

Sorry, I'm in Vermont at the border, so, I would work in MA, NH, or VT.

I will say that one of the traveler's I work with who is an LPN with years of experience cleared $104,000 last year! I was so shocked by that number. She told me it has to do with how you negotiate, and she uses her own car instead of having them rent one for her and works in corrections in the higher paying posts. She's also a great nurse, she really knows her stuff.