Shortage of RNs not LPNS!...

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2006

Good luck Sue, I know you're really just venting and I wish you well.

Many people LTC might take exception that you don't think their job is a "decent" job. It's the same situation here, it's hard for new grad LPNs to get into hospitals and when they do, it's at a lower rate of pay than LTC.

Good luck in whatever you do!

OB_or_NICU_hopeful · Sep 18, 2006

It is that way in my area as well. It seems that LPNs have one option - LTC. If that's your passion then you're in luck. That is not my passion, so becoming an LPN is not an option.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time right now. I hope a great opportunity presents itself to you!! Good luck!

lemRN · Sep 18, 2006

hi sue, i just read your msg and you are right. lpn's do get the crappy jobs. for some reason, they think we are are beneath everyone. there are a lot of wonderful lpn's out there. it's all about how you sell yourself. i use to be a lpn for 3.5 years and finally i went back to rn school. i've been a rn for almost 1.5 years now. i'm sorry that you really feel this way, but trust me, i do feel your pain. if you ever go back and do get your rn licenses, just remember, if you have a lpn working under you or with you, treat them as your equal, not like they are beneath you. some lpns are SMARTER than rns. TRUST ME, I KNOW. good luck

sunbeach73 · Sep 18, 2006

Sue2006, I'm an LPN also. I got licensed in May this year, but just started actively looking for work first week of August. I was rejected time and time again even by LTC facilities because I don't have experience. I finally got an interview with a hospital here. Most nursing homes around here pay $19-23 per hour depending on the shift you work. I was expecting at least $15 an hour from this hospital. They said since I am a new LPN I will make $12.50 per hr.....(sucks). The only reason I have accepted this position in a hospital for this crappy pay is because I need the experience and have heard that hospital jobs are hard to come by for an LPN. I will just have to hold down my current job as a data entry clerk, working 20 hours per week to make up for the cut in pay. I make more money doing data entry than I will as a nurse. (so sad!) I'm just hoping that it will pay off in the end. The nursing position is 72 hours every two weeks. So not only am I taking a cut in pay, I'm losing 8 hours of pay every two weeks to boot. I'm just hoping I can hang in there. I don't start the nursing job until October. Good luck in your venture looking for work!

ejsmom · Sep 18, 2006

I feel your pain!! I graduated in July and got my license at the end of August. I have over 10 years experience under me as a medical assistant, phlebotomist/ekg certified. I have sent out over 20 resumes and apps w/out ANY responses. I opted for LPN instead of RN because I idolized the LPNs that I worked w/. They always seemed to know and do it all without batting an eyelid, and I could not find any RN programs that fit my home and work schedule. I'm not saying that I regret going to school but I need a job to help support my family and am getting nowhere. It is VERY frustrating especially since I do have experience and am willing to work. The truth is that no one around here wants LPNs, we are just not worth the money. ~sigh~:uhoh21:

Proverbs 16:3 · Sep 18, 2006

i can't believe how much the hospitals pay LPNs. when i worked in the med-surg unit for my rotation, the ppl who were willing to show you stuff were the LPNs. they were really nice.

I wonder if the pay varies from state to state and in my state, i work as a student nurse at a community and get paid $13.50 which is less than what my collegues who work in hospitals get paid and i know when i do a level 3, they pay way more. of course, i do get a time and a half for overtime (any time over 8hrs) and benefits though i'm working there for just 6 months. If a student nurses get this, i think someone which much more experience and lincense should get at least a little more or much more.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2006

I'm an LVN in Texas who would like to respond to your post. Prior to enrolling in an LVN program I carefully and painstakingly researched the job outlook for LPNs/LVNs. When I did my research 2 years ago it indicated that the job prospects for LPNs in hospitals were declining, but the job outlook would be excellent in areas such as home health and long term care.

I work in a nursing home and, actually, have a fondness for my job. Have you ever heard of the self-fulfilling prophecy? If you already had unfavorable attitudes about LTC prior to working at one, you will subconsciously do things to make your LTC experience a 'hellhole'. Perhaps you should have done the proper research into the LPN job outlook before becoming one. I wish you much luck in finding a job that you think you'll enjoy.

SportyNurse · Sep 18, 2006

I am an LVN, and I recently left my position at the hospital to work in a LTC. Everyone looks at me like I'm stupid when I say that. I have worked for two years in my hospital, and it is a truly amazing place. However, my role is as a "resource nurse" and I don't actually have a patient load. I worked at the LTC as a second job for a while before I went full time...

Here's why: Working in a long term care facility is the most rewarding and the most learning that I have had. After having to take care of 25 residents on day shift, massive charting, and passing over 100 pills at nine alone, plus all the emergencies, weekly summaries, and all the other stuff do deal with (no unit clerk)... I am ready for anything. My time management and prioritization skills are at their highest right now. I feel like it has truly given me the tools to be able to deal with whatever comes my way in the future. And you don't "just work in a nursing home", you are a geriatric nurse. If you try and look at it differently you will be able to see it as an amazing learning experience.

anne74 · Sep 18, 2006

Honestly, that's just the direction the industry is going. I have a BSN, and I don't think the extra classes have made me a better nurse. I think experience makes you a good nurse. But, I went for the BSN so I wouldn't suffer any limitations as far as job opportunities.

I know many LPN's who are more resourceful and knowledgable than RN's. And the extra academic classes really aren't helpful in making you a better nurse. We all know people who are book smart but have no common sense.

I think law suits have a lot to do with the push for more formal education. Also, there's a crusade for nursing to be seen more "professional" than "technical" or "vocational" and the public recognizes professionals as those with traditional college degrees. But the reality is, you can't compare accounting or marketing to nursing, since nursing is so hands-on. It's experience that makes a good nurse. My mother was a 3-yr diploma RN, and she came out of school MUCH more qualified than I did as a 4-yr BSN.

The moral of the story is, the system is messed up, but to make sure you have your pick of jobs and opportunities, try to get your RN. Good luck to everyone.

Princess74 · Sep 18, 2006

Everything that I have read on the nursing shortage has been very clear that the shortage is RN's not LPN/LVN's. I am in a LPN program right now and will be taking the LPN to RN program as soon as I am finished and pass the NCLEX. I guess that I am lucky, hospitals in my areas are always hiring LPN's. I plan to work in a hospital as opposed to LTC, not because I have anything against LTC but because I want to be in the ER.

semi-fly · Sep 18, 2006

I would agree. This is one reason I am looking forward to starting the BSN program at my local university. While I agree that a degree/certificate doesn’t make the individual a better candidate, it does show that the individual is willing to go further than other candidates.

My perception may be off, but I’ve noticed that a majority of jobs these days require that you have an advanced degree (BA/BS) when maybe 5 – 10 years ago they were accepting people out of high school for the same position.

I’m counting down the day when a fry cook at McDonalds is required to have a BA in Food Management.

This may not be new but, has anyone else noticed that with nursing unlike any other profession you can simply quit your job in City A, and move to City B without a job and with relative ease find a new job.