salary -Huntsville, AL.

[MyTimeNow]

I have been an LPN since 1982, went back to RN school, graduated in August and just passed the NCLEX-RN last week, and I am curious about the salary for LPN transitioned to RN salary in AL, especially, HSV. I was an LPN at this particular facility since 1987 and was offered a salary at just $1.00 more per hour than what I was making as an LPN, but I was expecting at least $3.00 to $5.00 more per hour, maybe my expectations were too high. Anyway at the increased salary I am still not making what an LPN who has topped out is making. This just does not seem right to me. I have spoken with HR and this is what they say , " this is all we can offer you, this is what we offer to everybody". We have, at our facility a program called, RN plus. This allows more salary per hour, but with less benefits. I was told that I needed 1 year experience as an RN, but even after that my salary would only go to about $22.00 per hour and that would not even, do me that much good . And this still does not make more than an LPN who has topped out. I am wondering, is my ADN degree accounting for anything, not to mention all the time I have given as an LPN.

I am very grateful that I did get an increase, and that I do have a position, because so many graduates are still looking for positions and I was blessed to just transition over from LPN to RN and kept the same day shift that I was on. But I am frustrated and very curious and just need to compare. If there is anyone who is in the same situation please share your experiences. Thanks.

[scubadude]

Have you considered talking to other facilities?

[MyTimeNow]

I have thought about it, just have not done it yet, but I will. Thanks

[Wise Woman RN]

I'm planning on moving to the area. too, so this info is interesting to me, also... Looking at Huntsville and outlying suburbs... thanks..

[litchi]

Sounds like they're basically not taking your previous LPN experience into account at all and are paying you the new grad RN rate. I'm sure you're thankful to just have a job right now, but I definitely understand how you'd be a little upset too. If I were you, I'd definitely start shopping around. You don't have to actually take a job elsewhere if you don't want to, but at least you'd find out if other places would pay you about the same or not.

I live in Decatur. I'm not actually a nurse yet, I'm just a student.. but pretty much everyone I work with is in nursing school. One girl, a recent graduate, just got a job at one of the hospitals here in town. She says she was started at $25/hour working days. I'm not sure of the validity of her claim (I thought new nurses in the area were generally making $18 or $19 an hour not including night differential or anything like that), but it's definitely worth looking into other hospitals.

Good luck to you!

Oh.. just thought I'd throw this in as well. My cousin's ex worked here at Decatur General and after two years, transferred to Huntsville Hospital to one of the ICUs. She's making $36/hour now. You might start out small, but there's definitely potential to earn more with a little experience as an RN under your belt. I hope you don't regret going back to school to get your ADN! You will see a difference in pay eventually. :)