LPN to RN hours counted for higher pay?

[spar386]

This is my first time here for some advice and/or insight.

I am an LPN back in school getting my degree at a University in Alberta, Canada. I am contemplating on not renewing my LPN license this fall when registration occurs as I am a little tight on money and have been having trouble finding LPN positions.

I am wondering if nurses or Managers out there can tell me if my LPN hours would count towards my RN pay in the future? To clarify will the amount I've worked as an LPN allow me to gain more pay as an RN in the future or will managers disregard my LPN hours entirely since the scope of practice differs?

[Jules A, MSN]

There is no way I'd advise letting one license lapse without another one in hand. If money is that tight maybe keep trying to get a LPN job while you are in RN school? I worked weekends and overnights when I was in school and made a decent income. If I remember correctly I got 1/2 time for the years as a LPN when I got my ADN. Good luck.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

No, your hours as an LPN will not count on the RN wage scale. Years of RN experience are the only experience that counts on an RN scale.

It only makes sense: working as an LPN is not the same as working as an RN.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

It's really going to depend on the facility. Some may give a little credit, others may not. I know that when several surgical techs went on to nursing school, they were paid slightly more than a new grad RN.

Definitely agree with PP who said not to let the license lapse until the other is in your hands.

[Trauma_drama14, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Definitely do not let your license lapse. Why would you? Are doing a fastrack LPN to RN degree?

I think it honestly depends on the facility. Before working in the hospital, I was a LPN with over three yeara experience. When I was hired, they took into consideration that I was a LPN and made approximately $1 more than a new grad.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

It probably depends on the facility. Mine gives partial credit for LPN hours, but they do count actual hours worked -- not time licensed.

So say you worked 24 hours per week for two years, you would get credit for 2,496 hours. Then say you decided to be a SAHM for a few years, go back to school and look for an RN position when you graduate. You would not get credit for those years spent at home. Same if you took your first job offer 8 months after passing your board exam -- you would have been licensed for 8 months, but with no nursing experience.

But that's just how my hospital does it. I can't give a definitive answer.

[Karou]

It depends on your facility. Where I work now (large hospital), no. When I worked in a chain type rehab facility they counted my LVN work experience as "half" towards my wage. So I started out a little higher than their base pay.