why is the pay so low?!?!

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I recently got my license, I have not found a job as an LVN yet. Right now I am currently a cable guy. I have been searching for jobs as an LVN and have noticed that many of the places are paying as low as $15 hr!! *** is that?!?! So I went to school and took out loans to make $15 hr? its ridiculous. I am making more now doing cable, if I want to be a nurse it seems I am going to have to take a pay cut. I want to be a nurse but bills need to be paid and is more of a priority in my life so I am kind of torn on what to do. Continue doing cable and making more $$$$ or take the loss and be a nurse. the only benefit I can see is that long term nursing will pay more once I gain experience. I cant make up my mind what to do, any advice?

I'm in Texas, and started out a little over 18/hr as an RN

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Specializes in LTC, AL, Corrections, Home health.

I think it depends, I mean in some areas (like SoCal I hear), are so over saturated with nurses they simply don't have to pay a lot in order to get a wealth of qualified applicants. I live in an area with fairly low cost of living and make just over $20/hr as an LPN, but I feel pretty lucky to have the position that I do. Ultimately you have to pay your bills, so you can't leave your job until you find a replacement that's going to pay enough. I know that you said that you can't work two jobs, but perhaps you could look into finding a prn or every other weekend, occassional gig: it's often easier to find such a job as a new graduate, plus you wouldn't leave your secure position for the unknown. More education might help but there are a lot of RNs having the same problem. Sorry you are having this problem, when you're in school finishing your program seems like it will solve all of your problems, unfortunately that is not always the case.

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In what region of the country???

The Bible belt, which I hope to leave as soon as it's possible, but won't happen for a few more years.

At least I can live off my pay....I guess.

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Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

Geez. That really stinks. Is that a hospital pay rate or a clinic? Hospital jobs are the way to go when pay rate is a priority. Around where I live in south MS, a new grad RN would get maybe $16-18/hr for an office/clinic type job, but they can get $19-22/hr starting at a hospital position. It's just a matter then of what kind of schedule you want. M-F or 3 days on with 4 days off. The hospital will usually offer you more in the way of different scheduling options as well.

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Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

wanna know something horrible?

I am making less an hour now as an RN, than I made as an LPN at my last job. :(

I think that is why I am so...unhappy right now.

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That is very inline with LPN pay here. Actually I think LPNs here start closer to $13. I started as an RN in a hospital and starting pay was only 17.50 4 years ago. The cost of living here(rural Kansas) is very cheep and shift diffs really help boost the take home pay.

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You dont have to be restricted to LTC. Some readers had great ideas when they said prn or hospitals. When I am done with school my plan is to apply for Correctional Nursing. If I dont get into that I am going to look else where, but in your case as a LPN/LVN Corrections, Psychiatric nursing pays good. Even at a Methadone Clinic.

I understand. I work full-time too, and when u are not being financially supported or when ur the only bread winner u cant just take anything. Some young ppl can or can just go straight to RN when u have so many responsibilities. You will decide soon

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I was going say, $15/hr where I live for an LPN is probably right about there. LPNs here may even start out less than that (Alabama). I don't know who could live on that salary without some serious budgeting, or a working spouse.

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm proud to say that as an LPN I make a pretty good buck, but I started out 35 years ago. Still it's a good buck for todays cost of living.;)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Did you not do any research into the field and salary before starting school?

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Yes, the sad reality of health care salaries. Some areas pay much better but most skilled tradesmen make much more than RN's. I took care of a cabinet maker a while back and was quite surprised to learn that he made over $150K annually. (at least that's what he said!)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

That is an insulting wage!!

I am very thankful for my good LPN salary ($25.50/hour base, $3.00/hour in lieu of benefits, plus shift diffs)

But I also plan to going back to become an RN.

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