No more LPNs -- oh really?

DTC · May 3, 2009

This is simply my opinion,,,,and not intended to seem degrading to either the LPN nor the RN: LPNs are vital to doctors offices, LTC, assisted living because RNs are not going to work at lesser paying jobs beneath their educational level. Alot ot RNs were terminated one particular hospital here and I imagine they are finding it harder to find a new job than an LPN. LTC here is BEGGING for LPNs, BEGGING! The pay is good and if LTC is your 'thing', goodonya. LTC, assisted living pays well but most non-surgical doctors offices, "Doc-in_the_box" and the one or two hospitals here that still emply LPNs pay about the same as working the drive-thru window at Wendy's. Seriously. As a single middle-aged woman, if I lose my job and have to take a new one at less pay,,I'd have to find a second job, which at this point in life I reallyyyyyyyyyy don't want to do. That's with a paid off car, no credit card debt, just rent, basic cable, internet and an cellphone and utilities. Not an extravagant lifestyle. Scarey at my age. Glad I own a stationwagon so if I become homeless,,at least I can park it down by the river and lock the doors and live in it! Nothing in life is constant but change. Just hope this chameleon can keep up!

sunray12 · May 4, 2009

this is simply my opinion,,,,and not intended to seem degrading to either the lpn nor the rn: lpns are vital to doctors offices, ltc, assisted living because rns are not going to work at lesser paying jobs beneath their educational level. alot ot rns were terminated one particular hospital here and i imagine they are finding it harder to find a new job than an lpn. ltc here is begging for lpns, begging! the pay is good and if ltc is your 'thing', goodonya. ltc, assisted living pays well but most non-surgical doctors offices, "doc-in_the_box" and the one or two hospitals here that still emply lpns pay about the same as working the drive-thru window at wendy's. seriously. as a single middle-aged woman, if i lose my job and have to take a new one at less pay,,i'd have to find a second job, which at this point in life i reallyyyyyyyyyy don't want to do. that's with a paid off car, no credit card debt, just rent, basic cable, internet and an cellphone and utilities. not an extravagant lifestyle. scarey at my age. glad i own a stationwagon so if i become homeless,,at least i can park it down by the river and lock the doors and live in it! nothing in life is constant but change. just hope this chameleon can keep up!

goodness. how low (wages) are we talking?? surely we're not talking less than 10/hour for a lpn in 2009?? in my area new grad lpn's start between 17-20/hour which isn't a fortune, but it's not live in your station wagon time either. also the va and other fed gov hospitals hire lpns and pay quite well. if you end up having to go back out on the job market then maybe consider moving. if you've got your license and experience then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to make a decent wage and live comfortably.

DTC · May 4, 2009

Goodness. How low (wages) are we talking?? Surely we're not talking less than 10/hour for a LPN in 2009?? In my area new grad lpn's start between 17-20/hour which isn't a fortune, but it's not live in your station wagon time either. Also the VA and other fed gov hospitals hire lpns and pay quite well. If you end up having to go back out on the job market then maybe consider moving. If you've got your license and experience then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to make a decent wage and live comfortably.

Trust me,,in my area,,,9 bucks is standard for most doctors offices, unless its a surgical clinic, then its more like 14. Hospitals, as I said, the 2 still hiring LPNs,,,10-12. LTC is where the money is,,,16-18 with shift diff, if LTC is something one is willing to do. Relocating is a consideration altho from the posts I've read from my state on this site,,,it seems to be the same in other areas in the state. The hospitals are buying up alot of clinics and the pay has changed, benefits are changed and the nurses are not happy. I went back to school at age 52 and was fortunate to be able to not work for 12 months until I graduated. I regret not going directly into a hospital setting quickly to gain experience and learn more skills. Perhaps my options would have been more varied. Economic times are tough for alot of clinics and assurance of my continued employment there is uncertain. Now, my behind is sore from sitting on my pity pot, so I'll just say, keep me in your prayers as I decide if nursing is where I am supposed to be. Thanks,,I know this thread didn't start out as a whining session but appreciate the chance to vent.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 4, 2009

I think it depends on the geographical area one resides in as well as individual personal expenses regarding how far an LPN salary can take you. I don't have as many issues as others because when my mother died, she left me the house with no mortgage and I am married. If I did have to depend on my LPN salary to pay rent or mortgage I would probably be very dependent on side jobs or have to force myself to return to school to become an RN (something I do NOT want to do) and even then, it would still be tight (RNs are having the same money issues we are in my area because as their salaries went up, their cost of livng did the same).

If I had to do without my husband's salary, it would be tight, but I can make it with little extra fluffies.

SaraO'Hara · May 5, 2009

No more LPNs / LVNs - bullfeathers. We're damn useful and here to stay.

RobLPN · May 5, 2009

LPN pay depends greatly where one lives. I make very good here in NC.

windmill182 · May 6, 2009

I live in Seattle. I Looked at http://www.nwjobs.com There were at least 50 openings for LPNS in our county. Granted they were mostly clinic positions...but thats still a job.

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · May 6, 2009

I also saw an interesting job in Sunday's paper for a LPN at a methadone clinic. If only it didn't start at 530am I would have applied. Nobody here wants to pay an RN to had out cups of methadone.

sunray12 · May 6, 2009

No more LPNs / LVNs - bullfeathers. We're damn useful and here to stay.

^^ :)

I'd say avoid the 9 dollar/hour gigs - that's way too low for a skilled worker in 2009 and LPN/LVN's are skilled workers. If they are not then it wouldn't take a year or more or of rigorous schooling to become one. There are always people looking to exploit others and some are very calculating about looking for the most skilled employee they can get for the lowest possible wage. This is even more common in the present economy because these type of employers know there are a lot of job seekers out there in a pinch who may be willing to grab any offer. I think anyone who can should avoid the exploiters and look for an employer who's/that is willing to pay a fair wage.

msvegaslpn · Feb 14, 2011

ok ok.....i know this is an old post....but i had to reply.......first of all there are alot of lpn jobs here in the las vegas valley...both in hospitals, LTC, SNF, outpatient clinics.....im a new lpn and i am making 20 an hour at a outpatient behavioral health clinic....there were 37 people in my class....all working...all making over 20 an hour....i have friends living in mississippi as lpns and they are also making 20 hr or more...

and as for just passing out med cups as a meth dose nurse...thats not the case....we have to evaluate the patient to see if they are able to receive the dose.....do patient teachings.....do labs.....follow up on our pregnant patients.....participate in treatments teams.....there is alot more to meth clinic nurses than you think...so get ur facts straight.

Jdreamer05 · Feb 14, 2011

I feel the same way, here in Reno there are plenty of LPN jobs. Its hard to find LPN's here because there actually are no LPN schools nearby so theres an advantage to people seeking LPN jobs...