Pay increase after bridging?

Trauma Columnist · May 18, 2006

My facility does not count years as an LPN towards RN. When I became an RN I started at new grad wages. It did however, count for seniority for shift bids.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · May 18, 2006

My facility does not count years as an LPN towards RN. When I became an RN I started at new grad wages. It did however, count for seniority for shift bids.

this would be my worst nightmare. I believe I make $3 less an hr than new grads.

fla orange · May 22, 2006

At the hospital I work at, I was told that they wouldn't count my experience as Lpn. If I accepted a Rn position I would start out as a new Rn grad. I couldn't belive it.

suebird3 · May 22, 2006

I make more as an RN than I did as an LPN. Also, kept my Seniority.

Suebird

nursie-babie, ASN, RN · May 22, 2006

I DID NOT DO THE BRIDGE BUT I DID GRADUATE WITH SOME THAT DID, WE ALL WORKED FOR THE SAME FACILITY AND THEY DID GET CREDIT FOR THEIR LVN EXPERIENCE. WE WORKED AT A SMALL HOSPITAL IN TEXAS, BUT I BELIEVE I HAVE HEARD THAT OTHER HOSPITALS AROUND DO THE SAME. MY FRIEND WAS A TECH IN THE ER FOR 10 YEARS BEFORE WE GRADUATED NURSING SCHOOL, THAT HOSPITAL ACTUALLY GAVE HER EXTRA PAY FOR THAT EXPERIENCE(MAYBE THEY JUST WANTED TO KEEP HER!)

:monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance: :monkeydance:

ORSmurf · May 23, 2006

I did stay at the same hospital after going from LVN to RN. They gave me some credit for LVN years and started me higher than a new grad RN. I worked in the OR as a scrub (LVN) and stayed in the same department as a circulating RN.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · May 23, 2006

I got $1/hr when I passed NCLEX for my RN from LPN. I had nearly 19 years exp as an LPN and actually earned more than some new RN's in my LTC due to my years of senority.

sherrybaby · Jun 9, 2006

I live in Texas (Houston area) and they give you credit for your LVN years. Most do anyway. I have a friend who works in the hospital (they do this) and they divided her LVN experience in 1/2 and that was the number of years she was credited for her RN experience i.e. if you have been an LVN for 20 years you would be paid the same as an RN that has 10 years experience. Hope that helps. I think every state is different and it may depend on the need they have for nurses. I know in Waco they do not pay nurses near as much as they pay nurses in the Houston area.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2006

this would be my worst nightmare. I believe I make $3 less an hr than new grads.

Hardly seems worth it. One of my co-workers was doing Excelsior and dropped after she was nearly finished, because she's maxed out as an LPN where we work, and she found out she'd make new gard pay, on the same unit she's worked 20 years. Not quite fair. The problem is she's stuck in this position. The RN might not have given her much more money but would have given her more opportunities in other areas, or to quit if she felt like it. She's only in her mid-40s and has a long while to work.

You have to look beyond the salary and to what do you want the RN to do for you. Often RNs get some perks that other staff don't. They recently raised the night shift diff where I work for RNs only. At Duke RNs got an extra week of vacation that other staff didn't. There's a wider variety of positions open to RNs, in some areas. I know our ER, ICU's, intermediate units, L&D don't hire LPNs. But it depends on where you live. In some areas opportunities for LPNs are wide open.

Good luck in whatever you do.

2stush4u · Jun 9, 2006

I know some places in PA don't give you any credit for being a LPN, you are started at a new grad rate. As a LPN in LTC and working for agency in the sub-acute setting, I am actually going to get a pay cut as a RN. Most hosp I have heard of start their new grads at 24-25/hr for days with $2-3 shift diff. I can get that as pool in my LTC and I get more for my agency.But as someone said as an RN you won't be know as "JUST AN LPN" or you can't do that because LPN's can't. You have much more respect, and you can work in a lot of different settings.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jun 9, 2006

Hardly seems worth it. One of my co-workers was doing Excelsior and dropped after she was nearly finished, because she's maxed out as an LPN where we work, and she found out she'd make new gard pay, on the same unit she's worked 20 years. Not quite fair. The problem is she's stuck in this position. The RN might not have given her much more money but would have given her more opportunities in other areas, or to quit if she felt like it. She's only in her mid-40s and has a long while to work.
You have to look beyond the salary and to what do you want the RN to do for you. Often RNs get some perks that other staff don't. They recently raised the night shift diff where I work for RNs only. At Duke RNs got an extra week of vacation that other staff didn't. There's a wider variety of positions open to RNs, in some areas. I know our ER, ICU's, intermediate units, L&D don't hire LPNs. But it depends on where you live. In some areas opportunities for LPNs are wide open.
Good luck in whatever you do.

I am not only doing it for the money but also for more opportunities...:)