Same old question hopefully new answers

caliotter3 · Jul 27, 2010

Why don't you get some phone numbers of facilities and call and ask without identifying yourself? You might also get some hints about who has job openings.

newtress, LPN · Jul 27, 2010

Thanks for the tip. After my post I almost typed back "caliotter3 where are you?" I thought maybe you might have the skinny on a few things. Glad to see your response! I did in fact last week call three places, one an LTC facility and two home health agencies (the only ones that had a heartbeat and talked into a mouthpiece) Of course they would not give me anything in regards to hourly rates. Those were the only three that I have been even fortunate enough to speak to a person. I've spent the last 6 to 8 months trying to have some form of contact with these entities out there and you know the drill, no live persons, (ALL directed to their fake-O websites for any further inquiry) I think the salary.com and payscale.com sites are not very accurate for the average salaries for LPN in that zip code. Always seem to be way above what it probably really is. Just thought I could hear from some of y'all who are currently working and could share your average rate so I could get a feel for it.

caliotter3 · Jul 27, 2010

I have cold called companies before and asked about wages. I guess I was just lucky that someone slipped up and let the cat out of the bag. Like you wouldn't find out if they hired you? Remember with home health, some companies will pay you as low as they can while paying another RN or LVN more per hour, if they can get away with it. Maxim Healthcare is known for that. Once you get on the job somewhere, you can ask around and move to where the money is. That is one of the advantages of the "flexibility" in home health cases. Regular type jobs, another story. Try going on indeed.com, careerbuilder.com, and monster.com. Sometimes wages are posted for a few positions. Would give you a rough estimate until you can find people who will talk wages.

caliotter3 · Jul 27, 2010

In CA, for LVNs, between $19 to $22 would be about the norm, about five years ago. Now many employers have cut their wages back to between $15 to $17 for LVNs and act like they are being generous. Yet there are still LTC facilities that might pay $24 or $25 an hour. You have to be good at selling your skills.

newtress, LPN · Jul 27, 2010

Caliott, you are so right about that. So my hunch was that perhaps the pay rates were actually better years back, and now to offer less is more for them because when you are out of work and need to ASAP, you will have to accept a lower rate of pay. I side with you on the home health reservations. The two that I spoke with as I stated back in another post was they portrayed a rarin' to go get you on board tone, but I don't trust overly bubbly sounding people much in the nursing business these days! Can you believe that? Kind of like yeah, what's missing here and what are you hiding from me he hee. I trust more the drudgery of what LTC and nursing homes really are. If they stay with pay rates that I am used to where I've worked here in Louisiana, then I certainly would be willing to come on until I put some more time in and be looking for a much more satisfying position even if it was for less pay. I hate turbo med passing. And I was complaining working on an ortho/neuro med surg floor at the hospital. Reflecting back I prefered the med surg better, and also liked working at a full psych hospital for 6 months. But thanks for at least letting me know that the old stand by nursing homes may at least pay a reasonable rate. :rolleyes: