Best/Worst States for LPN opportunities

Nurses LPN/LVN

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HeartJulz

305 Posts

Specializes in My first yr. as a LVN!.

Yes a CMA is a Certified Med. Asst. I was really lucky @ my last job ... I did a TON of surgical assisting including vasectomies, sigmoidoscopies... really cool stuff. I was the drs 'right' hand seeing up to 30+ a day. There was just he and I working and the receptionist. I loved that job... thats how I know I want to go surgery somehow .. OR maybe? But I know no one wants a new grad. on the OR floor... that is, after I get my RN. There I was @ $23 an hour. Had to take a pay cut to $18 now for temp until I get my LVN... but I cant just do basic work .. I need a huge work load w lots of challnges!! So the pay was worth what I was doing for 23.. but like I said a lot of nursing work... loved it!

sassiebaz

614 Posts

Yes a CMA is a Certified Med. Asst. I was really lucky @ my last job ... I did a TON of surgical assisting including vasectomies, sigmoidoscopies... really cool stuff. I was the drs 'right' hand seeing up to 30+ a day. There was just he and I working and the receptionist. I loved that job... thats how I know I want to go surgery somehow .. OR maybe? But I know no one wants a new grad. on the OR floor... that is, after I get my RN. There I was @ $23 an hour. Had to take a pay cut to $18 now for temp until I get my LVN... but I cant just do basic work .. I need a huge work load w lots of challnges!! So the pay was worth what I was doing for 23.. but like I said a lot of nursing work... loved it!

I haven't heard them referred to as "CMA's" out here in AZ. I'm an MA but, not a CMA. I have not heard of them making that much out here. I believe $16 an hour is pretty much tops. Definately can make more as an LPN which is why I am going to school for that. I coulnd't even work as an MA as daycare would eat up over half of my paycheck!!

Crueltiming

12 Posts

Specializes in Childrens Behavior Health.

I live and work as an LPN in the Phoenix/Mesa/Tempe area (Behavior Health - Peds)...and yes..there are alot of jobs here. The organization I work for currently has several openings for LPN...depending on exp...can start 18 - 20 an hour. (We were asked by management to not post our name online for a variety of reasons so email/pm me for details). I worked here 2 years as a Registry (60+ hours a week) and have been here almost 2 years as a full time. We work in Residential Treatment Centers. Speaking of...Registry are always looking for Nurses...I worked for one Registry and had to constantly turn down hours...they paid 25 and hour to start...and if they needed ya in a pinch would pay anywhere from 27-30 an hour...but..no benefits and you have to track and pay your own taxes. I am too old and tired to be running around like a crazy person on a Med Surg floor so RTC is a great pace for me...pass meds, administer ppd, constant assessments due to psychotropic meds, and other non nursing duties...positive role modeling...I have sewn and ironed clothes, cooked and other things for clients that ya dont typically find a man doing hehe..sometimes go on outings with clients such as NFL games etc....but it IS Psych...so take the good with the bad... Anyway..hope this helped you....and sorry for rambling...

Respectfully

Crueltiming

HeartJulz

305 Posts

Specializes in My first yr. as a LVN!.

Yes there are MA and CMA... to be a Certified MA you sit for an extra exam and most the time its more money. Yes hang in there, I know how eating up the paycheck is ... I have a mortgage, luckily Ive rasied my daughter to the point now shes 14 so now no more daycare, but there are still a ton of expenses, thats why Im going thru the end to my RN... Im sick of being strapped for cash!!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
What is a CMA? Certified Medical Assistant???
CMA = Certified Medical Assistant

RMA = Registered Medical Assistant

sassiebaz

614 Posts

CMA = Certified Medical Assistant

RMA = Registered Medical Assistant

So what is the difference? Here in AZ if you get certified, that means you took and passed a national exam....which they are wanting more and more these days. But, registered?? What does that consist of? and why? I haven't worked as an MA in 3 years as I have been an at home mom and taking pre-req's so I guess Im out of the loop......

Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

i live in ny, and i guess everyone has different experiences, i'm a new pn and it was hard for me to find a job, and not because i was a pn, but because i was new and unexperienced. i found a hospital that hires new pn's so i'm applying there! good luck to you.

doingourbest

69 Posts

I have that effect on people hehe.

Corrections LVN and MTA/LVN are two very different things. The LVN's that work in the state prisons make very little money $19 -24 / hr with ok benefits, and retirement. But $24/ hr is not worth it to work in a prison!!! This puts you at earning under $50,000 / year to deal with murders, rapists, and child molesters EVERY SINGLE DAY!! The inmate populations is, by and large, very manipulative.

With that said, the MTA/LVN option is a million times better. The MTA/LVN have a salary of $74,000 ($36 / hr) and bring in on average $80,000 -100,000 a year with OT. Some make $150,000+. Plus, MTA/LVN's have the best retirement in the nation as it is a peace officer retirement that can be acheived at 50 years old. At 50...I am done, feet kicked up, working a thing of the past. The bene's are amazing too.

LTC in northern california is a disaster. Unless of course you like taking care of 50 residents by yourself, getting yelled at by angry family members, having grey hair, going bald young etc etc. I got out just in the nick of time, let me tell you. I had the comb over thing going on...it was rough!

Join us

Become an MTA/LVN.

How do you join? Who do you join? I am an LPN and don't have it nearly so good.

doingourbest

69 Posts

I live and work as an LPN in the Phoenix/Mesa/Tempe area (Behavior Health - Peds)...and yes..there are alot of jobs here. The organization I work for currently has several openings for LPN...depending on exp...can start 18 - 20 an hour. (We were asked by management to not post our name online for a variety of reasons so email/pm me for details). I worked here 2 years as a Registry (60+ hours a week) and have been here almost 2 years as a full time. We work in Residential Treatment Centers. Speaking of...Registry are always looking for Nurses...I worked for one Registry and had to constantly turn down hours...they paid 25 and hour to start...and if they needed ya in a pinch would pay anywhere from 27-30 an hour...but..no benefits and you have to track and pay your own taxes. I am too old and tired to be running around like a crazy person on a Med Surg floor so RTC is a great pace for me...pass meds, administer ppd, constant assessments due to psychotropic meds, and other non nursing duties...positive role modeling...I have sewn and ironed clothes, cooked and other things for clients that ya dont typically find a man doing hehe..sometimes go on outings with clients such as NFL games etc....but it IS Psych...so take the good with the bad... Anyway..hope this helped you....and sorry for rambling...

Respectfully

Crueltiming

Is registry the same thing as agency?

gettingupthere

59 Posts

I'm so tired of where I live and I plan on just packing my bags and hitting the road. I was wondering where are some of the places I should look into that has great opportunities and pay for LPN's and which cities should I avoid all together?

I live in Upstate NY right now.

Try Westchester county! They pay well and seems to be an abundance of LPN opportunities!

sassiebaz

614 Posts

Is registry the same thing as agency?

Yes.....

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

the jobs are the exact same thing but the difference is only in the test you take ..cert or registration. when i went to school to be a cma i had the opportunity to take both. i did this 12 years ago so have the availably to take both test is not a new thing.

so what is the difference? here in az if you get certified, that means you took and passed a national exam....which they are wanting more and more these days. but, registered?? what does that consist of? and why? i haven't worked as an ma in 3 years as i have been an at home mom and taking pre-req's so i guess im out of the loop......
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