RN with LVN experience

Davey Do · Jan 21, 2021

As a relatively new RN in 1991, I got a job at a state psych hospital with 2 1/2 years psych experience as an LPN. Classifications of RNs at the state hospital were RN1 and RN2, RN1's having less than 2 years experience in psych nursing and RN2's having two or more years psych nursing experience.

Even though I had over two years psych experience as an LPN, I had to start out at the facility as an RN1.

TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN · Jan 21, 2021

I was an LPN for 7 years prior to becoming an RN my first employer gave me "half credit" for my experience, so I started out as an RN with 3.5 yrs of exp. A decent compromise, but the jab was that here in my state the scope of practice for LPN's is wide open with very few things requiring an RN to do. I worked in the hospital the entire time I was an LPN doing med-surg as well as stepdown/PCU as a primary nurse. At that time the job description for an RN and LPN were almost interchangable at the hospital I worked in. I think LPN experience should count for something you are a NURSE no matter what setting you worked in as an LPN you have skills that your new grad RN peers lack, that makes you deserving of a better rate of pay, in my opinion.

On a sad note, after I became an RN a couple years later the hospitals around here "re designed" the role of the LPN to essentially be med nurses who also do CNA work on the side. Not a bad gig, in my opinion, but it would have been hard going from being a primary nurse to being a pill slinger and vital sign recorder.

Sour Lemon · Jan 21, 2021

1 hour ago, lizzy4u said:

Hi everyone!

I recently received my RN license and I have no hospital experience but have 12 years of LVN background in long-term care but wish to work at a hospital but not in med surg. I applied for a surgery position in the pain management department a few days ago. How do I go about not starting off at new RN pay? Not only for this job, but with other jobs. Pretty much how do I "sell" myself. I'm also considering a job at a psych facility but I feel if I was ever to leave, how would it help my resume? Especially if I'm considering a job in a hospital either soon or in the future.

In some places, you start at the bottom with no possibility of negotiation. It depends on your specific employer and the general market in your area.

If you are able to negotiate, focusing on your relevant experience would be the best tactic. If you're looking at a new specialty, you'll have a little less to work with.

Davey Do · Jan 21, 2021

3 minutes ago, Sour Lemon said:

If you are able to negotiate, focusing on your relevant experience would be the best tactic.

In 1995, I applied at a LTC facility for a DON position. At that time, among other experience, I had 2 1/2 years experience as a NS in HH with a few months experience as an LPN in a LTC facility.

During the initial interview, the LTC administrator told me, "As far as I'm concerned, you're hired! You only need to meet with the district manager".

A short time later, I met with the administrator and the district manager, who said, "I would prefer to hire someone with more LTC experience". The district manager kept biting at his thumbnail which had old blood beneath it and the administrator avoided my glances.

I didn't get the job.

caliotter3 · Jan 21, 2021

Most of the venues where I look for work won't talk to an RN that does not have a minimum of one year RN experience, no matter how long they worked as an LVN/LPN.

AdobeRN · Jan 21, 2021

I was told I was hired at my first new grad RN job at a hospital due to my experience as an LVN working home health with experience working with kids on vents, but I wasn't compensated for it until about 9 months later.

Hospital went thru restructuring of how they would be giving raises, new hires/grad step programs etc, and it was noted that I should have been hired at a higher pay rate because of my LVN experience. I was bumped up to a higher pay level and back pay compensated for the previous 9 months - it was a nice check.

TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN · Jan 21, 2021

11 minutes ago, caliotter3 said:

Most of the venues where I look for work won't talk to an RN that does not have a minimum of one year RN experience, no matter how long they worked as an LVN/LPN.

Just crazy, I knew one LPN that had over 20 years experience working in an ICU in a rural hospital about a decade ago. She went to school and finished her RN and that hospital wasn't going to give her any credit for already being a highly experienced critical care nurse, they started her at new grad RN pay which meant she took a pay cut where she was maxed out on her pay as an LPN. Now how much dag on sense does that make? So guess what happened....... She left! And this very rural hospital lost an experienced kick butt nurse that had been loyal to them for 2 decades.

The point of my story/rant is that I think LPN experience needs to be given more credit and acknowledgement than what it does in many cases when facilities are determining your salary.

lizzy4u, ADN, LVN · Jan 21, 2021

Thanks everyone for the input! This is my first time posting and I already feel comfortable asking any question I should have. I totally agree, LVN experience is not given enough credit.

amoLucia · Jan 21, 2021

Also, if there is a union, you may not have any 'wiggle room' as wages are usually guided by the contract.

And welcome to AN.

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