Is this true about LVN's in the area?

kat7ap · May 15, 2009

In DFW, I started out making about $38,0000 base pay but when I added a few hours overtime every week it came out to more like $43,000. I suppose if you worked plenty of OT you could pull in $55,000 as a new grad, but I think it would be unlikely for that to be a starting base pay.

jennifers · May 15, 2009

Do RN's not make more than LVN's? I was just offered 22 an hour as a new RN.

moncj66 · May 15, 2009

well, judging from where the article was written, I would have to say yes, that base pay is right. LVNs and RN make double down there in the valley due to the high immigrants migrating to the US hospitals for care. I only know this is because my sister completed her residency rotation in Mcallen and works with RN's who were supposely making $50-70/hr, so I know LVNS are paid well also, the only downfall is the HIGH burnout due to patient overload, I think the average nurse had 15 patient or soo. So i guess there earning that cash!

caliotter3 · May 15, 2009

I worked where one of the highest pay rates in the country existed and I never approached that kind of money, even with overtime. If that quoted rate is not a mistake it seems somebody is trying to make things seem better than they really are. As a matter of fact, pay rates are falling in my state, putting those figures even further out of reach.

kat7ap · May 15, 2009

Do RN's not make more than LVN's? I was just offered 22 an hour as a new RN.

Yes RNs typically make more than LVNs with comparable years of experience. In DFW a new LVN grad would not start at $22/hr base pay in a hospital. For instance I was quouted $18/hr for night shift at a FW acute care hospital with 2 years LVN experience. With the job I took I now work normally about 52 hours a week (voluntarily) and make about $4600/mo to support my husband and I while he's in school. However I do NOT want to work this much OT forever, but it pays the bills

GeauxNursing · May 16, 2009

In DFW I am making 19.50 in a chronic dialysis clinic (as a new LVN). This is due to my 3 years PCT experience with the company. I wonder what it would be w/out?

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · May 16, 2009

well, judging from where the article was written, I would have to say yes, that base pay is right. LVNs and RN make double down there in the valley due to the high immigrants migrating to the US hospitals for care. I only know this is because my sister completed her residency rotation in Mcallen and works with RN's who were supposely making $50-70/hr, so I know LVNS are paid well also, the only downfall is the HIGH burnout due to patient overload, I think the average nurse had 15 patient or soo. So i guess there earning that cash!

The key word in you post is "supposedly." Somebody is highly misinformed.

I worked as a new grad RN in a McAllen hospital in 2002 and made $17./hour and the hospital was an absolute hell-hole.

I don't think wages have gone from $17./hr for new grads, ($20./hr for experienced) to $50-75. an hour in seven years.

There is no way RNs are making $50.-$75./hr in Mcallen. No way in hell.

In fact-

I just checked salary.com and according to the site, the average salary for a staff RN in McAllen, TX in 2009 is $50,644.50 a year. That comes to $24. an hour for a 40 hr week.

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz%5Fpsr&jobfamilycode=12&txtKeyword=registered+nurse&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Healthcare+%2D%2D+Nursing&hdZipCode=78501&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=7&pagefrom=selectjob&hdJobCategory=HC05&hdGeoLocation=Mcallen%2C+TX+78501&countertype=0&totaljoblistnum=7&joblevelcode=2&hdCurrentPage=1&hdNarrowDesc=Healthcare+%2D%2D+Nursing&hdLocationOption=0&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdJobTitle=Staff+Nurse+%2D+RN&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=registered+nurse&rdbSearchByOption=0&hdStateMetro=103&jobcounter=1&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=HC07000001&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&hdAjaxKeyword=registered+nurse&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23registered%23+OR+%23nurse%23&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=1&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=0

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 16, 2009

New-grad LVNs in the area are certainly capable of earning in excess of $50,000 per year, but they must work two jobs and/or plenty of overtime at one job in order to rake in that kind of money.

I did earn $62k last year as an LVN, but it was the result of keeping 2 jobs at all times. I was exhausted, listless, and developed fine lines on my forehead from the lack of sleep.

littlefoot · May 16, 2009

I live in dfw area,seasoned lvn with 16 yrs experience in medsurg, pedi, geriatric, hemodialysis, vent/trach. Iv, phelebotomy, icu, home health, ltc and top pay i have made is $23/hr, currently working medsurg and making $20. Not sure what top pay for experienced lvn is but feel lucky to have a job, hard to see nurses with no experience make more, and agency nurses with less experience come into our facility when we are short (with no training on our facility and make $28+)

GeauxNursing · May 17, 2009

New-grad LVNs in the area are certainly capable of earning in excess of $50,000 per year, but they must work two jobs and/or plenty of overtime at one job in order to rake in that kind of money.
I did earn $62k last year as an LVN, but it was the result of keeping 2 jobs at all times. I was exhausted, listless, and developed fine lines on my forehead from the lack of sleep.

Hey Commuter, how is school going for you? Haven't heard much from you in a few months!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 17, 2009

Hey Commuter, how is school going for you? Haven't heard much from you in a few months!

School is going okay. I took one of my final exams on Friday, May 15th.

Now it's on to pediatrics. I'll be starting clinical rotations in peds at the Univ. of Okla. Medical Center. While I don't really like being around kids, I know I'll have to bite the bullet!