LPN Hours - what are they like?

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I'm thinking of doing the LPN program - - here are my questions. LTC facilities require most CNAs to work every other weekend in my area of PA - - is that the same for LPNs as well? . What other LPN options for jobs are there without working so many weekends? What's it like in your LTC facility? How about the hours in home health? I have worked tons of evenings and weekends (vet tech :0) and am trying to find an alternative in nursing that may not require every other weekend (over the years it takes a toll on family). What's out there? In PA where I live you need to be an RN to work in hospitals.

Does Home Health Care require several years of experience before working with them?

Also wondering what the pay is like in physician offices now that so many MAs are being hired to fill spots in Drs offices.

Thanks so much for your reply.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

In my area, it's very common for LPN/LVNs in LTC to work M-F 8 hour shifts and then have a weekend only staff to do doubles or 12 hour shifts. The 6-2 or 7-3 shift is very desirable so you will most likely have to start out on evening shift. However there is normally a higher turnover rate in LTC so you can usually eventually move into a day shift if it comes available. I think it is normally recommended to have at least 1-2 years before you do home health or agency. I worked for a hospice company before that only required me to work one weekend a month. From my experiences, LPN/LVNs in offices or clinics are paid slightly less than in other settings. For example $15-17/hr for an office job or $18-20/hr for LTC. In my area I see plenty of ads for openings in outpatient settings.

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Thanks so much for your reply - - very helpful information!!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

From what I see, more desireable (dayshift) hours are for those who have been in the system a bit longer...the majority of new grads get shifts on evenings or nights, alternate weekends off, or Baylor hours (two double shifts) on weekends. However, many hours are usually available. Home care is about the same, first come, first served regarding hours. I used to do home care on weekends, because I was one of the fortunate ones that started working in a hospital clinic Mon-Fri the moment I obtained my license (that was because I was already working there, they knew me and didn't want me to leave). I plan to remain in the clinic as long as they will have me. I do work several other per diem or overtime situations on weekends, but it is because I want to, not because I have to. Would not trade it for the world.

I observed that home care assignments sort of worked like this; an RN would go make an inital assessment and based on the diagnosis and her personal observations (and what insurance will allow and pay for), it would be decided that (for example) that a particular patient is allowed 20 hours a day, 7 days a week nursing care, and can use an LPN. The staff start searching their list of LPNs, ask who is available to work when. It may be that some nurse may decide to take weekends/nights because she doesn't want to let her other job or case go, but needs extra money, or maybe another nurse may say that she wants Monday-Thursday day shift, etc... until they get their compliment of hours allowed. One of the things I noticed is that the client may get 20 hours of nursing care 7 days a week, but that does not necessarily mean that it will be the same one or two nurses. Many families got frustrated because they feel it is a lack of continuity of care, getting used to different personalities in their home, in their space, etc...

Good luck!

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