LPN to RN wage in current LPN position

[sallyjane]

I am just curious how other facilities deal with this situation: I have worked for three and a half years as a LPN in a long term care facility, while going to school to get my RN. In the past, when an LPN got their RN, my employer automatically paid them RN wages. This was regardless of working in a RN position (because there are very few within my facility) and continuing working in a LPN position. It was awesome for the many new RN's to be able to get the pay increase until they found an RN position elsewhere. Many of these people are still there actually unable to find a RN position and still receiving RN pay while working in a LPN position. Very nice for them and I was pleased to know that I had that option and was looking forward to it when I got my RN. However, as luck would have it, last May and due to "cost efficiency", they stopped doing this for new RN's within the facility. I am the first one that this would apply to and I am really disappointed. I am wondering what the norm is for this situation and if others have experienced this? I understand my employers reasoning for having to finally put a end to this practice, but had hoped that they would look at years employed and possibly still do it for me. Has anyone else out there a situation like this?

[kcochrane]

You mean they don't do background checks and drug screenings on their LPN's?

They do, but they do it all again when you apply as a RN after school. Seems like a waste of $$$. I would guess the background check is pretty quick.

[smartnurse1982]

I don't get when everyone says "lpn duties" or "rn" duties. They overlap,don't they? If I can do wound care like the lpn,is that rn duties or lpn duties? What about "nursing duties".

As for the op,run for the hills. I don't see what's so hard about paying you rn wages and upgrading your title. My employers did this automatically and without question. There were no set number of rns they could hire nor lpns. A nurse was a nurse.

[anticoagulationurse]

You want me to take more responsibility (which having an RN license automatically adds) then you pay me more money or I go work somewhere else.

[Fribblet]

.

As for the op,run for the hills. I don't see what's so hard about paying you rn wages and upgrading your title. My employers did this automatically and without question..

LPN and RN "duties" are different in LTC. A LPN cannot do a nursing assessment, or the initial assessment, or something along those lines. The OP very clearly stated that she would not be working in an RN position.

As such, paying her an RN wage when she's NOT working as an RN is a generous courtesy. Her employer is NOT out of line for not paying her for a job she's not currently doing.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

You want me to take more responsibility (which having an RN license automatically adds) then you pay me more money or I go work somewhere else.

Simply not true. It was the LPN's choice to achieve a higher educational goal. Her employer neither requested that, nor requested that she fulfill the RN role.

Yes, the new RN will be held to new higher standard of licensure, but that is not at all the same thing as taking on higher responsibilities.

[kcochrane]

LPN and RN "duties" are different in LTC. A LPN cannot do a nursing assessment, or the initial assessment, or something along those lines. The OP very clearly stated that she would not be working in an RN position.

As such, paying her an RN wage when she's NOT working as an RN is a generous courtesy. Her employer is NOT out of line for not paying her for a job she's not currently doing.

I agree, in my old facility RNs had a totally difference job. They were usually charge and did a lot of the paperwork for admissions, care plans, etc. LPNs could not take telephone orders or start IVs in our facility in addition to initial assessments.

[caliotter3]

Simply not true. It was the LPN's choice to achieve a higher educational goal. Her employer neither requested that, nor requested that she fulfill the RN role.

Yes, the new RN will be held to new higher standard of licensure, but that is not at all the same thing as taking on higher responsibilities.

Most employers will increase a nurse's wage when s/he attains the RN license, but that is done out of a sense of professional courtesy if they do not take on a different role. It is usually easier to get a higher rate when changing jobs in conjunction with attaining the new license. Any employer who doesn't acknowledge a new RN with a token pay raise is aware that the individual will be looking for pastures where they feel more valued.

[smartnurse1982]

Maybe I don't understand. The way I see it,she will be working as an rn whether or not she if she is functioning or working in an lpn role. Maybe with homecare its different. I thought legally an employer can't keep you in a position you are no longer qualified for.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Maybe I don't understand. The way I see it,she will be working as an rn whether or not she if she is functioning or working in an lpn role. Maybe with homecare its different. I thought legally an employer can't keep you in a position you are no longer qualified for.

I do think you are misunderstanding. The OP's facility didn't ask her to become an RN. They have no positions open for RN's. She is simply continuing to work as an LPN and expecting to be paid as an RN because in the past, her facility gave a courtesy bonus (quite unheard of, actually).

There is no added responsibility and she is not functioning as an RN.

[caliotter3]

RNs work in LPN jobs often. If that were not the case, a whole lot of newly minted RNs would be getting fired across the nation when their RN license made them "obsolete". I see plenty of job opening descriptions that are worded that RNs or LVNs can be hired for the position.

[anticoagulationurse]

Yes, but being an RN automatically imbibes more responsibility as per the nature of the licensure. I could work at Starbucks as a barista and would still expect more than a starting wage because of the nature of my education and general working responsibility even though I would not be working as an RN in that position. I would expect it, but it does not mean I would be offered it, and does not mean I would accept any less.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Yes, but being an RN automatically imbibes more responsibility as per the nature of the licensure. I could work at Starbucks as a barista and would still expect more than a starting wage because of the nature of my education and general working responsibility even though I would not be working as an RN in that position. I would expect it, but it does not mean I would be offered it, and does not mean I would accept any less.

Well, we will just have to agree to disagree. If I went to work @ Starbucks, I would never expect to be paid more because of my nursing education and past responsibilities.

If I were working as a CNA and obtained a nursing license, yet my position did not change and I continued to perform only CNA duties, I would not expect to be paid as a nurse. As others have posted, I might be held to a higher standard of performance, should anything untoward happen, but that is not the same as holding higher responsibilities.