LVN am i underpaid?

[helloyou123]

hi so it's been about 1.5 years since i starting working (and getting my license) at a home health agency as a field nurse. I'm an LVN but not IV-Certify.

I got started pretty cheap like $18 per visit as part-time. Eventually i was thinking about quitting so i told them and they told me to stay to work as per diem which i say okay. Gave me for $22 b/c said since gas is not covered for per diem. they start me with less patients but eventually it's gradually becomes like almost like part time. So eventually been about a year so gave me an increase to $24. Eventually it become a point where i think it's too much like something my quotas will be like part time but not giving me any benefits etc. So ask for increase so they gave me about $2 increased.

This is in SoCal area. and i have a friend who work at a home health recently as per diem and she get $35 but she is IV certify and have been nurse for 5+ years. but she told when she first start off she got like $30 for per diem anyways.

Am I underpaid?would i get paid more if i was IV Certify? does it matter to them because im still getting a whole bunch of patients.

I'm thinking about going to another home health agency that my friend is going but i haven't go in and ask about it ...I was staying at my place b/c they are under-staff and they were nice ppl but just don't like the management.

[caliotter3]

IV certification means nothing unless you are using this skill on the job. So you are doing visits, they started you at $18 a visit, and now that is up to $24 a visit? A far cry from the $35 to $45 a visit one would expect.

[Archerlpvn, LPN, LVN]

Yeah 24$ is definitely grossly underpaid for an LVN per diem, non benefited position with no mileage reimbursement. They're making a lot of money from your visits and aren't paying you ****. That's not ok! Move on, there are so many home health agencies in SoCal.

[helloyou123]

Thanks for the input! Then only thing why I'm still with them because they gave me my first job as lvn and I'm using this job as my building experience. Almost 2 years in I think I'm ready to move on.

By the way, when looking for other nurse jobs does employer care how long you work? Originally I wanted to stay at this place for at least 3 years so my resume will look better.

[Archerlpvn, LPN, LVN]

In general, new nursing employers appreciate staying at least a year. Obviously the longer the better in some regards, but not in your situation, where you're letting yourself get taken a advantage of. It's time for you to go. Stop getting low balled.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

2 years in you're good in terms of experience before looking for another job. Time to move on indeed.

[Cactus Nurse]

why don't you go to your friends agency???

IV cert won't help much, you can only do so much as a LVN anyways, that's just a bonus.

If you're at 2 years, I say definitely look for another job. How abut facilities? LTC, SNF, hospital of you know anyone?

Personally I don't like home health, and I currently work in a SNF, and totally love it. I'm from SoCal- the San Fran valley area, started in HH, did that 6 mos, then did drug rehab, and SNF. In November I moved to AZ, I just got IV certified and the scope of practice is way larger out here, you should come here, pay is good too and cost of living waaaay cheaper :) see you soon lol

[minerwife927]

I do home health but I am at a case 8 hours a day. (24 hour nursing clients) I was getting $17/hr and got a $1 raise after 2 years. Found out I was making MUCH less than my coworkers on same case, plus I was nights. I now get $24/hr after asking for a raise. In my area the average LPN is making $19. School nurses $12/hr and LTC is about $19. Hospitals that hire LPN are paying $15. I am in good old middle of nowhere Pennsylvania though and that probably makes a difference. We dont have any agencies that pay per case in my area so I dont know how those usually work.