$12 an hour?!

CashewLPN, LPN · Jun 2, 2004

I used to work at a nursing home in Food Services (supervising staff cafeteria), and I went back to visit and get my face out there again. My aunt is an LPN there, and I went upstairs to say hello to her and I overheard two ladies on the elevator talking about the "sucky" paychecks they just received and thank God for the upcoming holiday pay. I told one lady I was starting my LPN program in a matter of weeks and she gave me a sympathetic look and said "You may as well get a management position at McDonald's or spend the next year at RBI getting your medical assistant certification. You'll make more." Word for word. (BTW, RBI [Rochester Business Institute] is a business college that accepts EVERYONE and certifies ANYONE). I asked the lady if she were serious and the other lady said "Unless you get in here or at St. John's Home you will be making about $12 an hour with minimal diffs, and it's not much more here to be honest."
I am mortified. I thought for sure we made closer to $17. That additional $5 an hour could really help this family get from under the "poverty line".
Any insight? Could this be true?

Hi...

The rate of pay for LPN's/LVN's depends on where in the world you are, as well as what you're doing...

When I worked as a Staff LPN in a major hospital, I made $14 an hour. Now, as a Float-Charge-LPN (essentially a staff LPN) in a LTC, I make a smidge over $21 an hour. I live in NYC

Theres a thread floating around here on what we make, I'm pretty sure its very up to date.

Now, about management positions in Fast Food.... Entry level management pay isn't too great, but, those regional and district managers do tend to make more money, but its a HUGE responcibility. (plus, often no union or health benefits)

Good luck!

--Barbara

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2004

There are places where RNs are paid $12.00 an hour.

It depends on what area of the country that you are in and what type of nursing you do.

catcolalex · Jun 2, 2004

I drove over an hour in order to make 13.00 as an LPN instead of 10.00 at my local hospital.

MsLpn02 · Jun 2, 2004

I live in Mississippi. My wages are $15.64 an hour, including a $1.00 shift differential. The cost of living here is kind of low, so I am able to make a decent living. Go to http://www.salary.com and research the wages for an lpn in your hometown

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2004

Thank you for all that information, and especially the salary.com link. I looked it up here in Rochester, and the average is about $17.90 an hour. The lower end is closer to $16.50 an hour. I guess I feel better, even though I really want to be a nurse, and was willing to accept $12 an hour if I had to.

need2be · Jun 2, 2004

Hi, My sister in laws mother works at St. John's has been there for awhile I will ask her how much lpns start. But I know that she loves it there and she is very fond of her residents. That might be worth the pay to know that you will be happy there. Also I know she has been working alot of OT, so that could help you to. I will send you a private message after I talk to her.

QUOTE=kiyasmom]I used to work at a nursing home in Food Services (supervising staff cafeteria), and I went back to visit and get my face out there again. My aunt is an LPN there, and I went upstairs to say hello to her and I overheard two ladies on the elevator talking about the "sucky" paychecks they just received and thank God for the upcoming holiday pay. I told one lady I was starting my LPN program in a matter of weeks and she gave me a sympathetic look and said "You may as well get a management position at McDonald's or spend the next year at RBI getting your medical assistant certification. You'll make more." Word for word. (BTW, RBI [Rochester Business Institute] is a business college that accepts EVERYONE and certifies ANYONE). I asked the lady if she were serious and the other lady said "Unless you get in here or at St. John's Home you will be making about $12 an hour with minimal diffs, and it's not much more here to be honest."

I am mortified. I thought for sure we made closer to $17. That additional $5 an hour could really help this family get from under the "poverty line".

Any insight? Could this be true? :nono:

need2be · Jun 2, 2004

Oh yeah don't you just love those RBI commercials(sp?) They really make a joke out of that school.

Hi, My sister in laws mother works at St. John's has been there for awhile I will ask her how much lpns start. But I know that she loves it there and she is very fond of her residents. That might be worth the pay to know that you will be happy there. Also I know she has been working alot of OT, so that could help you to. I will send you a private message after I talk to her.
QUOTE=kiyasmom]I used to work at a nursing home in Food Services (supervising staff cafeteria), and I went back to visit and get my face out there again. My aunt is an LPN there, and I went upstairs to say hello to her and I overheard two ladies on the elevator talking about the "sucky" paychecks they just received and thank God for the upcoming holiday pay. I told one lady I was starting my LPN program in a matter of weeks and she gave me a sympathetic look and said "You may as well get a management position at McDonald's or spend the next year at RBI getting your medical assistant certification. You'll make more." Word for word. (BTW, RBI [Rochester Business Institute] is a business college that accepts EVERYONE and certifies ANYONE). I asked the lady if she were serious and the other lady said "Unless you get in here or at St. John's Home you will be making about $12 an hour with minimal diffs, and it's not much more here to be honest."
I am mortified. I thought for sure we made closer to $17. That additional $5 an hour could really help this family get from under the "poverty line".
Any insight? Could this be true?

unknown99, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2004

I am an LPN now for 19 years, and currently make $19.80/hour at the hospital I work at, but that is the top out pay.I made more than that 4 years ago at the nursing home I worked at. But, now I graduate this Friday from RN school, and will makw RN pay soon, which I'm not sure how much that is.

WATERBOY · Jun 2, 2004

I am an LPN now for 19 years, and currently make $19.80/hour at the hospital I work at, but that is the top out pay.I made more than that 4 years ago at the nursing home I worked at. But, now I graduate this Friday from RN school, and will makw RN pay soon, which I'm not sure how much that is.

Im also from ohio just wondering what hospital you work?

tonicareer · Jun 3, 2004

Medical Assistants here in Indiana make minimum wage and no benefits. They have to take more credit hours than an LPN. Plus most medical assistant classes don't transfer to the nursing programs. CNA's get paid more than nursing assistants here and only need 3 months of training.

mandykal, ADN, RN · Jun 3, 2004

As a CNA, we thought our supervisor (RN) at our LTC was getting paid the big bucks because she has been working at our facility for about 14 years. Well, we thought wrong when she told us she's not getting paid much, because 14 years ago the pay was much lesser. To top it off she said that she gets paid the same amount of pay that a starting nurse currently gets paid. Think about it.