New Grad LPN getting frustrated!!!

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I graduated in August and due to financial issues wasn't able to get licensed until December. I have been looking hard for jobs and have had 4 interviews with two of those extending job offers, but the pay is just so low. ($17 at one and $18 at the other)

I know I dont have much room to be picky since I dont have actual nursing experience besides clinicals (I do have over 10yrs of CNA experience) but I feel like I deserve a little bit more than they have offered. I've been told by some seasoned nurses that I should wait it out for atleast another month but I dont want to lose out on what may be the only offers that I get.

Is anybody else in the same situation or do you have any words of advice or encouragement?

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Specializes in Dialysis.

In many areas, CNA experience is not considered with any nursing. I don't know about your COL, but that may very well be in line with a new LPN in your area. In my area, that's on the high end!

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In many areas, CNA experience is not considered with any nursing. I don't know about your COL, but that may very well be in line with a new LPN in your area. In my area, that's on the high end!

Thank you , I know CNA experience is not nursing experience, but I know it can sometimes help depending on the type of job, because I may be required to do more hands on patient care is all.

It seems that $20 and above is what a lot of people have been telling me is a good new grad LPN wage but of course thats just their experiences I guess! 😊

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Take whatever job you can get. Beggars cannot be choosers in a nursing employment market that has too many nurses.

Do you not realize that new grad RNs in your state of residence (Georgia) are starting in the $18 to $23 hourly range, depending on the part of the state?

Good luck to you. $17 to $18/hourly is better than $0.00 per hour.

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17 18hr is great pay for a new grad LPN nurse. I live in Fl and some places start new nurses at 14 16hr. Beggers can't be choosers. If I were you I'd take that 17hr or 18hr and run with it. We all have to start somewhere to get where we want to be. I'd advise you to take that offer and get the experience you need so that later you can be picky about your pay.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Since this thread deals with the new grad LPN employment search, it has been moved to our LPN / LVN Corner forum to prompt an increased rate of responses.

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Specializes in LTC.

Are you being realistic? Are other new grad LPNs in your state of GA really earning $20 right out of school?

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Yes I was being realistic. Thank you for responding. I am done with this post. I've made my decision.

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Specializes in PACU.

To be honest, $17/hr is a whole lot better than $0/hr. You need the experience more than anything to continue in your career, and at least if you are working you are bring in money and getting experience as you put out feelers for other jobs.

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Specializes in Public Health, Women's Health.

Do you live in an area where LPNs typically make more? I made $19 as an RN starting out, this was at a clinic and hospital RNs started at 20.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Take the better of the two offers if you still can. The better one might not be the one that pays more. Look at staffing, working conditions, the commute and scheduling before you decide which is better. What you consider low pay is better than no pay and for some reason it is easier to find a job if you have a job. After you are employed for a while if you still think the pay is too low try to negotiate better pay if possible or start looking for a higher paying job then.

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As a starting Lpn I took a pay cut from my last job as a pca in a hospital.. -2$ an hour.. Yet I have more work here lol and s bigger title after my name. But I make enough to enjoy it and I love what I do so, I've gotten past it

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