LPN Pay rates in Western PA?

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I saw an ad in the Help Wanted section on a local newspaper for an LPN - stating that the starting wage was $12/hour!!!!! Is that common in the Western PA area? I think I remember that the ad was for a position in Hermitage, PA.... It seems so low!

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Specializes in long-term-care, LTAC, PCU.

I'm an LPN in western PA. I work in a personal care home as the part-time charge nurse and the starting rate for LPNs in my facility is 13.05 (I think). I know rated in doctors offices are usually lower ($8-10) per hour because the hours are usually M-F or Sat 8-4 or 9-5. no weekends or holidays. I just got a new job at the county home and my part-time pay rate will be $19.45 per hour. However, I am now considered a county employee. we also get 12 paid holidays per year and the full-timers get double time-and-a-half for holidays worked. When I worked LTC and LTAC (all skilled) the rate was about $15 per hour. It may have gone up since I left. Hospitals in this area don't hire LPNs anymore so I don't know what we're getting in a hospital setting. I do know some LPNs that are working as monitor techs in a hospital and they're making around $11 per hour to start. Agency LPNs are getting about $24-26 per hour if you're interested in that sort of thing. I do it occasionally. The money's great I just don't like the fact that I can be cancelled. You can PM me if you have any more questions.

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Thank you! The $15/hour seems more online with what I had been thinking (I am just getting ready to start LPN school in July), but that ad had me a little concerned! I do understand the difference in pay between doctor's offices and LTC - I am currently getting certified as a nurse aide to be able to work and gain some experience while in school. I don't know anyone at the LTC facility where I just started to ask them yet! Thanks again!

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Specializes in behavioral health.

June,

Do you get $19.45 working in the county home in Mercer? That sounds like a high starting rate for this area. I am suspecting that you have good deal of experience. What is your pt. ratio? Congratulations!

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Specializes in long-term-care, LTAC, PCU.

I'm in Westmoreland county.I've actually just resigned from this position because of the nurse/resident ratio. On 3-11 it is not unusual to have one LPN for as many as 46 residents. You have to do all the meds, treatments, and documentation on these people. In my opinion, it isn't safe. I wasn't going to jeopordize my liscense for $19.45/hr. I just accepted a position at the VA in Aspinwall for nearly the same amount of money (plus 25% extra on weekends and %10 extra on any off-shift). I was told that on a bad day, I would have 11 residents to care for. I have been an LPN for 7 years and will graduate 6/19/09 from RN school.

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$15-18 sounds about right for LTC. My mother works Med/Surg and makes about 18 or so as an LPN. The agency rates sound about right too. Some places may pay more for weekend or prn staff too.

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Specializes in behavioral health.

June,

Good for you, getting away from that dangerous nurse/pt. ratio!:yeah: My first nursing job was in nursing home and it was approx. 50 pts.:eek: I worked just two days a week, and I lasted about two months. I was just overwhelmed and gave my notice. I felt bad because I wasn't there long, but it was just way too much for me to handle. I don't know how other nurses can handle it.

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Specializes in long-term-care, LTAC, PCU.

Tonight was my last night at that nursing home, yea!!! I now just work in my fun little personal care home makeing a measely 13.49/hr. I'm starting school on the 25th of august so I need to go back to a low stress job..lol. I feel bad only working there for a few months but that place was something else. I don't know how the other nurses are able to handle it every day.

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