LPN salary questions

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Ok... I've been reading couple of topics regarding LPN pay... It's really low to the point where I don't think it's worth working getting paid less than $20. Even pharmacy technicians make close to $16/hr in illinois. So... I wonder... When you go on interview, do you ask for pay first? or how does this work? Can you negotiate? I really can't afford to get paid 14-18 dollars an hour. I was expecting as low as $21. This is scary...

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Look at the salary websites for the job and your area and subtract $5-8 thousand annually. I'm in Georgia and I started at $14/hour, got up to $17.51/hour and am trying to reenter the workforce after having a baby and the highest offer, either in the interview or job posting, is $14/hour. You'll start a LOT lower than you expect but should get raises and bonuses to bring you up to a more comfortable level. There's a reason LPNs are called "Low-Paid Nurse".

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We are in a union so we don't get to negotiate our salaries but we start at over $30/hr.

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In Michigan LPN starting pay is anywhere from 21-24/hr

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Ok... I've been reading couple of topics regarding LPN pay... It's really low to the point where I don't think it's worth working getting paid less than $20. Even pharmacy technicians make close to $16/hr in illinois. So... I wonder... When you go on interview, do you ask for pay first? or how does this work? Can you negotiate? I really can't afford to get paid 14-18 dollars an hour. I was expecting as low as $21. This is scary...
If you are a new grad with no nursing experience, I am going to be very straightforward and say that you really do not have any bargaining chips that would allow you to effectively negotiate your wage upward. The nurse with solid experience and/or certifications can command more pay, but the new grad is viewed by managers as a liability.

The employment market for new grads is terrible in many cities across the US, and facilities can get away with paying wages that are not competitive because 100 other newer nurses will line up to accept the job offer that you reject based on the low pay rate.

You have the choice of holding out for the higher-paying job offer that might never happen, or having employers offer the job to another candidate who will accept the pay rate without negotiating, or taking the job at any wage and accruing experience. With that having been said, nursing is not a career where one can expect to become rich.

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Thank you for the respond and you got me on "Low-Paid Nurse" haha :laugh:

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So does anybody know the ideal starting pay for new grad LPN in Illinois?

The reason why I had a high expectation was because where I used to work paid new grad LPNs $25

Of course there was no bonus, vacations, pto, health insurance, and no raise.

But starting with $25 sounds good even though I don't get a raise.

I worked as a CNA for over year and half if basic nursing is what I can refer to as a nursing experience.

Oh and I am not gonna stop here as an LPN. I'm looking forward to continue my education, possibly up to master's degree.

But my concern is that I'm getting married within a year and I really need to make money and save a lot for whatever I need when it comes to wedding, such as wedding ring, wedding hall, and etc. SOO much money I will have to spend but soo little I'll be making sounds just kind of depressing. I mean if it's what I have to go through then I won't complain, but seems like some people make more and some people make less depending on where they get the job regardless of their status/experience.

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starting $30 sounds really good. In fact it's so much than a new grad LPN can expect. May I ask where you work?

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Specializes in Long term care.

LPNS in New Jersey starts off $23-$25 an hour no experience and in NYC they make $24-$28 an hour

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In Michigan LPN starting pay is anywhere from 21-24/hr

Where are you in Michigan? I am a new LPN and I was wondering what is the starting pay for new grads!

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I live in northern Michigan and lpn's start out at 14.86 an hour. That is at a long term care facility associated with the hospital in Gaylord Mi.

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starting $30 sounds really good. In fact it's so much than a new grad LPN can expect. May I ask where you work?

I'm Canadian and in Saskatchewan. In my research all LPNs start at the $30+/hr.

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